Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Iditarod has set the starting order for the 49^th running of the Last Great Race on Earth using a digital order generator to randomly select names for the official start order, taking into account the two separate draw batches based on when mushers signed up for the race.

“This draw method was just one more way to ensure musher health and safety leading up to this year’s race,” said Race Marshal Mark Nordman. “Because the traditional mushers banquet is postponed, and other in-person, pre-race meetings are virtual this year, the mushers will not physically be in same place until the actual start at Deshka Landing. It is disappointing that the mushers will be unable to get their customary time on stage to thank their supporters, but we look forward to doing this in person in 2022.”

Mushers will be recognized and profiled during the Iditarod Pre-Race Show on Thursday, March 4, at 5 p.m. AST on Iditarod.com.

The 49^th Iditarod race includes 13 women and 34 men, made up of 12 rookies and 35 veterans. Four former Iditarod champions are back in the race and four countries are represented in the field. Five competing mushers have participated in 18 or more Iditarod races.

The official 2021 Iditarod race start order is:

Dubbed the Iditarod Gold Trail Loop, the race route will follow a portion of the traditional Iditarod southern race route to the checkpoint of Iditarod, and then continue to the mining ghost town of Flat before looping back to the southern route in a course that is approximately 852 miles.

The race will start on Sunday, March 7, at Deshka Landing at 2 p.m. Fans of the race are encouraged to watch the start on television via the Iditarod’s broadcast partner Alaska’s News Source or free online at Iditarod.com.