Iditarod

In the final push for Nome, Iditarod mushers are making big moves and cutting rest, but fresh snow, and drifted trail isn’t only slowing the leaders – trail conditions have also slowed dog teams in chase mode. Download Audio

Front running teams are making their way for White Mountain Tuesday morning.

Dallas Seavey - the winner of the 2014 Iditarod - is the first musher into White Mountain. He checked in at 10:10 Tuesday morning. Mitch Seavey and Aaron Burmeister are running in second and third place, respectively.

Dallas Seavey crossed under the burled arch in Nome at 4:13 a..m. Wednesday, securing his second-consecutive Iditarod win, and his third four years. He made the 22 mile run from Safety, the Iditarod's final stop before the finish line in Nome, in three hours. Download Audio

The top teams have left White Mountain and they are on their way to the Iditarod finish line in Nome. Spectators are unlikely to see a major shakeup in the front end of the field, but this year’s race is likely to end with career bests for many of the teams up front. Download Audio

Dallas Seavey is the winner of the 2015 Iditarod. This is his third win in four years. The 27-year old musher says he’s not the only young member of his team. Many of his dogs are only three years old. Some sled dogs can race beyond the age of eight. Seavey says his team has a long future of competitive mushing ahead.

The top-10 Iditarod mushers have arrived safely in Nome and their sled dogs are tucked in for a long rest in the dog yard. For most of the front-runners, a top-10 finish is nothing new. Download Audio

For decades, a few big name mushers have dominated the standings in the Iditarod, but after decades of racing, many of them are reconsidering their priorities. Professional mushing may be in the midst of a “changing of the guard” as a small group of young mushers start to post top finishing times. Download Audio

After two prior attempts, this year’s Red Lantern, Cindy Abbott, completed her first Iditarod late last night. Download Audio

Fairbanks officials say the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is unlikely to start in the borough this year.

Iditarod organizers continue to look at Fairbanks for restarting this year’s race. Fairbanks North Star borough Mayor Karl Kassel met with race officials in Fairbanks yesterday. Download Audio

Another low snow year in Alaska is playing havoc with the world's most famous sled dog race, at least for the start.

Organizers have decided that a lack of snow in the Anchorage area won't force a route change for this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The start of the race will be staged as usual in Willow, about 50 miles north of Anchorage. Download Audio

A lack of snow in Alaska's largest city has led the world's most famous sled dog race to shorten its ceremonial start this weekend. Download Audio

In preparation for the 2016 lditarod Sled Dog Races, the Municipality of Anchorage will be closing off several downtown streets for event set-up. In order to provide ample notice, 'No Parking' signs will be placed within the closure areas at least 48 hours in advance of the road closures. Anchorage Police Department officers will be on traffic control detail for the duration of these events and will be able to assist drivers with directional instructions.

The 44th annual Iditarod trail sled dog race gets underway on Sunday, although the festive ceremonial start in Anchorage happens tomorrow. This is one of the largest fields in the race's history at 85 mushers signed up to start. KNOM News Director Emily Schwing and Alaska Public Media's Zachariah Hughes will be reporting from the trail. Before they take off, let's find out who they're keeping an eye on and what to watch out for along the trail. Download Audio