Click Here to Return to Iditarod Race Updates Menu

Takotna Checkpoint

Total mileage from Wasilla:  344 miles

March 07, 6:00 p.m.

Running down the Takotna River.

It's great to be riding again!  Another beautiful day and another beautiful ride.  We left Nikolai at 12:30 p.m. and took advantage of the fast, hard-packed trail to make a fast ride over to McGrath.  McGrath is the largest town on the southern part of the trail and we took a few minutes to take on fuel and water.  Gasoline prices in McGrath were great!  Only $2.90 per gallon compared to the $5.00 per gallon price at the last fuel stop.  We left McGrath and moved on towards the town of Takotna around 3:00 p.m.  

    We keep hearing the stories about all of the wolves that live in the area so we're keeping our eyes peeled.  It would be really awesome to get some video of a Timber Wolf up here.  Compared to the scrawny, flee-infested 'brush' wolves that live near my home these guys are amazing.

"Hang On"

While the race leaders are parked in Cripple the teams in the middle of the pack are busily jostling for position here in Takotna.  Lance Mackey and Keith Aili have been running fairly close together most of the way from McGrath and they came in here within a few minutes of each other.  Mackey chose to go through Takotna while Aili stayed and camped.  

    It is very, very interesting to watch all the teams race, no matter what place they are in, towards their ultimate goal.  For most, especially for these mushers in the middle and back of the pack, the finish line in Nome is their goal.  As you start to analyze the more experienced or more competitive mushers the goals change.  Their are about twenty teams shooting for the top ten positions and at least fifteen of them plan on finishing in the top five.  As for the number one spot I know of nine teams who think they have a realistic chance of taking the gold.  The Iditarod is a competitive event!

The sun is setting and it is still a long way to Cripple.  I better hit the trail!

Reporting from the trail for Ultimate Iditarod,

Tyrell Seavey

© 2002 Ultimate Iditarod, Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs, Seavey's Iditarod Racing Team
Reproduction or distribution in any way or by any means prohibited without permission.
Ultimate Iditarod http://www.ultimateiditarod.com  email: dogboy@ultimateiditarod.com