Iditarod leaders were on the 75 miles between Rohn and Nikolai this morning — lots of them. Among the first ten reaching Rohn last night was Rick Swenson. He stayed for more rest than most. Some just checked in and kept going. Nenana veteran Aaron Burmeister says this is a point in the race where you can’t fall too far behind.
First into Rohn, with a two hour lead on Paul Gebhart, was Team Norway’s Kjetil Backen, back after a three-year absence.
Tonight the leaders will reach McGrath. Among the many who will be there to greet them on the Kuskokwim River will be former Iditarod musher Eep Anderson, now the proprietor of McGuire’s Tavern.
For our complete update, be sure to listen to the attached Iditarod audio report.