Rookie Ben Harper of Wasilla was the first musher to reach into the mukluk and draw his starting position. He drew number 37. Aaron Burmeister of Nome was the final musher to reach into the mukluk for the one remaining starting number. It was 63. Drawing number 2, rookie Rob Cooke will lead all mushers out of Fairbanks. Veteran Scott Smith will be the final musher wearing bib 69.

Forecast for the ceremonial start comes in the form of a Winter Weather Advisory. The advisory reads, “Heavy snow to impact south-central Alaska tonight and Saturday. Snow will develop this evening and become heavy overnight and taper off Saturday morning. Snow will accumulate 4 to 9 inches.” Will this make the job of the Anchorage street crews more or less complicated? My sense is that new snow will be the proverbial icing on the cake or welcome top-dressing for the snow the street crews have been able to scrap up to cover the streets of Anchorage.