Jessie Royer into McGrath
Jessie Royer has made McGrath. Royer’s first run to Nome was in 2001. With 16 starts, she’s had 16 finishes. Her best finish was fourth and she’s been in the top ten 6 times. Royer is fresh off the Yukon Quest trail. Musher and dogs will easily fall back into the trail routine. The canine athletes will quickly convert to their higher metabolic rate. Jessie is in a great position at this point in the race. She checked in then headed to Tokatna.
Peter Kaiser from Bethel is fourth into McGrath. His first Iditarod start was in 2010. He’s had nine start and nine finishes. Peter has been in the top-ten 5 times. As a kid, Peter watched the Kuskokwim 300 and from that his interest in long-distance mushing was sparked. He says his family has always had dogs. Peter checked in at McGrath then took off for the 18 mile run to Takotna.
Aliy Zirkle Spreads Straw for the SP Team
Aliy Zirkle rounds out the top five mushers who’ve made McGrath. Aliy moved to a small Alaskan town north of the Arctic Circle in her early 20’s. During her first winter, she adopted six huskies, built a dog sled and explored the surrounding wilderness with her dog team. Aliy is the only woman to ever win the Yukon Quest. Zirkle has started and finished Iditarod 18 times. She’s had 6 top-ten finishes, three of those being 2nd place. Zirkle is taking a short stay in McGrath.
Matt Hall is a Yukon Quest Champion. He’s started and completed one Iditarod in 11thplace. Matt is running another distance double in 2019 as he did in 2018. Again, for himself and for his athletes, participating in the Quest helps establish routines necessary for long distance racing. Matt grew up on the Yukon River in Eagle, Alaska. Matt stopped only long enough to check into McGrath and is back on the trail to Takotna.
Ryan Redington is into McGrath. As a Redington, Ryan has probably always known he’d run Iditarod. This is his 12th start. He’s finished 5 previous races. His best finish in Iditarod is 14th. Ryan has run many races across Alaska and the lower 48 states and enjoys running the Iditarod for the challenge it provides. The race is a family affair for Ryan. His grandfather Joe founded and ran the race, his father Raymie and his brothers Ray and Robert have all participated in Iditarod. Ryan went through his McGrath drop bags, selected a few items and then went on the Takotna.
