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Iditapod: The ceremonial start

Fifty-two mushers running the 2019 Iditarod took part in the ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, March 2. (Ben Matheson/KNOM/Alaska Public Media photo)
Fifty-two mushers running the 2019 Iditarod took part in the ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on Saturday, March 2. (Ben Matheson/KNOM/Alaska Public Media photo)

We talk about why the Ceremonial Start in downtown Anchorage is a thing, hear what mushers are talking about this year, and visit with the Trailgaters. It's the last time anyone gets to catch their breath before the real start of the race. And maybe catch a few hotdogs, too.

Casey Grove is host of Alaska News Nightly, a general assignment reporter and an editor at Alaska Public Media. Reach him at cgrove@alaskapublic.org.