Who’s leading the race? In the early days and miles of the race, it’s a mathematical challenge to know who’s leading the race. But once the teams have taken the long twenty-four hour layover, the picture comes into focus. When a driver declares the team’s mandatory rest, they’ll be staying put for a full twenty-four hours plus the start differential time.

For example, consider the bookend Redington brothers, Ray Jr. and Ryan. Ray Jr. drew bib #2. Ryan drew bib #67. Teams leave the restart in Willow at two-minute intervals. In order for the first musher making the burled arch in Nome to be the Champion, time adjustments have to be made. This differential is added to the long rest, where ever and when ever the musher decides to take it.

Ray Jr. took his mandatory layover in Takotna while Ryan chose to rest with his team in McGrath. Being the final musher to leave Willow, Ryan can leave the checkpoint exactly 24-hours after he checks in. On the other hand, after the twenty-four hour rest, Ray Jr. has to wait an additional 130 minutes to make up for the head start he had on Ryan. Apply the differential to Jim Lanier and Trent Herbst as they press on to Ruby where they will probably take the long rest. Lanier wearing bib #3 will wait an addition 128 minutes to leave the layover checkpoint and bib #16, Trent Herbst, will add 102 minutes of wait time. Once this happens, the picture will come into focus.