The first 3 teams getting to the checkpoint here in McGrath should be Dallas Seavey, followed by his dad Mitch Seavey and then Wade Marrs. It is pretty cool to see young Wade Marrs having such a strong race. When passing Wade, his leaders were  somewhat hesitant, so I was worried that I would screw up his run. Wade yelled called, ” Sebastian, I am trying new leaders “. Now that is a strong showing…. for some young leaders. 

The 1st two mushers, Dallas and Mitch. What a deja vu from last year. When running from Tanana to Ruby last year, they also emerged in that order into that checkpoint, about 300 miles into the race. And they are doing that again. This year they have a HUGE group of chasers following them. With the trail conditions being as good as they are, the field will stick pretty close to each other. Normally a lot of mushers will go to Takotna from Nikolai. Pretty sure that Noah and Brent both will most likely push further for their 24 hr layover. 

The first musher to McGrath will receive the Spirit of Alaska Award, sponsored by Pen Air. That comes with a beautiful hand carved spirit mask and  $500 in travel on Pen Air. 

Here some pictures of Dallas and Mitch along the trail.