The Burled Arch is in Place for the Finish of Iditarod XLIV

Watching the race through GPS Tracker and Insider from Unalakleet is quite exciting.  There are races within the top-ten that will unfold through out the day and into early tomorrow morning.

Looks like Mitch Seavey will claim his third Iditarod Gold medal. Dallas is in pursuit but with only thirty miles to go to the burled arch in Nome, catching up isn’t in the cards for the younger Seavey. But there are races within the top ten that will be intense.

Only three miles separate Dallas Seavey and Nicolas Petit as they approach Safety. I can guarantee they both have their running shoes on and are putting every effort into their respective finishes. There you have the top three.

Wade Marrs, Jessie Royer and Joar Leifseth Ulsom are all resting in White Mountain. Their departure times are a few hours apart. If Royer makes Nome with all 16 of her dogs. Dr. Stu Nelson thinks that could be a record – the highest placing finisher with 16 dogs. Mind you, he thinks that. We haven’t had time to verify yet.

Then to round out the top ten, there are four mushers who are running in a group that’s spread out over four miles between Elim and White Mountain. Ray Redington Jr. is at mile 870, followed by Aliy Zirkle at 868, Peter Kaiser at 867 and Michelle Phillips at 866.

Will there be three women in the top ten finishers?  Currently in 11th place, Paul Gebhardt is at mile 863 running with 8 dogs. Also running with 8 dogs to the finish are Dallas and Joar

Stay tuned! The excitement is mounting.