Iditapod: Race day 3, and tricky mushing out of Rainy Pass

Things get pretty technical for Iditarod mushers heading out of the Rainy Pass checkpoint and into the Dalzell Gorge before Rohn and Nikolai. Plus, we hear from animal-rights activist and documentary filmmaker Fern Levitt, and we get four-time Iditarod Jeff King's take on criticism of dog mushing.

Iditapod: Race day 2, plus Rookie of the Year contenders

In less than 24 hours, the Iditarod front-runners have made it to the Finger Lake checkpoint, 123 miles into the 1,000-mile race. But not before checking in at Yentna and Skwentna, the first two checkpoints after leaving Willow. And, even before that, KNOM's Davis Hovey caught up with two top candidates for Rookie of the Year: Two Rivers' Matt Hall and Nenana's Jessie Holmes.

Iditapod: Race clock ticking after Willow restart

Mushers in the 2018 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race are officially on course for the 1,000-mile trek to Nome after the restart in Willow. We take a rather, uh, unique question from a listener, and Alaska Public Media's Zachariah Hughes does whatever it takes to get an interview.

Iditapod: Anchorage ceremonial start and the trail-side parties

The 2018 Iditarod kicks off with the ceremonial start in Anchorage and an 11-mile jaunt through downtown and the city's trails, past race revelers that call themselves "trailgaters." We introduce KNOM News Director and trail reporter Davis Hovey, and hear from DeeDee Jonrowe, Nicolas Petit and some of the folks along the trail.

Iditapod: The season so far and a look ahead

We talk about this year's Kuskokwim 300, touch on the importance of mid-distance mushing races leading up to the Iditarod and talk to KUAC-FM reporter Zoe Rom about covering the Yukon Quest, Alaska's other 1,000-mile sled dog race. Also: We talk about the Anchorage ceremonial start, who we expect to see running at the front of the pack and answer our first listener question!

Iditapod: What the heck is happening?

We look at three major problems hitting Alaska's mushing community ahead of the Iditarod. The Anchorage Daily News' Tegan Hanlon and Alaska Public Media's Zachariah Hughes sit down with host Casey Grove to discuss the whirlwind of recent news, including a doping scandal, musher mutiny, and increasing pressure from animal rights groups.

Iditapod: A look back at the 2017 Iditarod

In Episode 1, we take a look back at the 2017 Iditarod and hear some of the boots-on-the-ground perspective on Mitch Seavey's record-breaking speed, the physical toll on his son Dallas Seavey and more from our reporters on the trail: Alaska Public Media's Zachariah Hughes and Ben Matheson, who was working for Nome radio station KNOM.

Iditapod: Wrapping up the 2017 Iditarod

In this episode, we talk about the 2017 Iditarod, what happens after the mushers reach Nome, and the person behind the @IditaTrump Twitter account.

Iditapod: A deep dive into Mitch Seavey’s record-setting run

In Episode 16, we talk about the Iditarod's top-20, and take a deep dive into the strategy behind Mitch Seavey's record-breaking run.

Iditapod: Mitch Seavey’s record-breaking run to Nome

In Episode 15, we talk about Mitch Seavey's record-breaking run, Aliy Zirkle vying for a top-10 finish, and taking a refreshing sauna in Unalakleet.

Iditapod: Mitch Seavey leaves White Mountain

In Episode 14, we talk about Mitch Seavey being the first musher out of White Mountain, we get a lesson in Iditarod tradition and histoy, and discuss mushers' strategies for resting their dogs.

Iditapod: Mitch Seavey leads the charge up the coast

In Episode 13, we talk about Mitch Seavey's rush up the coast, what's going on in the middle of the pack, a musher reflecting on his dog's death, and we address a bunch more listener questions.

Iditapod: Top-5 Mushers Sprint for the Coast

In Episode 12, we talk about Mitch Seavey taking the lead, the Iditarod's international contingent, and we hear harrowing Iditasport tales.

Iditapod: Mushers Head Back to the Yukon River

In Episode 11, we talk about: How few dogs have been dropped, the rookies are making a run for it,  and Huslia's mushing tradition.

Iditapod: Iditarod Mushers Reach Huslia

In Episode 10, we talk about: Mitch Seavey the first into Huslia, 24-hour rests and how mushers determine when to take them, and the Iditarod's educational aspects.

Iditapod: Wade Marrs is the first musher into Ruby

In Episode 9, we talk about Wade Marrs leading the way to Ruby, run/rest strategies, two-way communications,and a story from Iditarod past.

Iditapod: Nicolas Petit leads mushers to the Yukon

In Episode 8, we talk about Nicolas Petit being the first to the Yukon, Martin Buser's recovery from last year's injury, Yukon Quest v. Iditarod, and veteran dog teams.

Iditapod: Mushers check in at Manley Hot Springs

In Episode 7, we talk about: Early race trail conditions, new sled-building and packing strategies, and we hear interviews with Dallas Seavey and Lance Mackey.

Iditapod: The 2017 Iditarod’s Fairbanks Restart

In Episode 6, we talk about: The 2017 Iditarod's restart in Fairbanks, weather and trail conditions in the Interior, and race strategies.

Iditapod: The Ceremonial Start of the 2017 Iditarod

In Episode 5 we talk about the ceremonial start of the 2017 Iditarod, and: Fur Rendezvous; trailgating; mushers' reactions to the allowance of two-way communications devices on the trail; and innovative musher clothing designs.