Ultimate Iditarod NEWS FLASH
Iditarod Re-Start Moved to Fairbanks Area

Note:  This article refers to the Iditarod Re-Start that was originally scheduled to occur in Wasilla on Sunday, March 2, 2003.  The Anchorage ceremonial start is not affected by this change.
Click here for an explanation about the race start vs. re-start

    With the unprecedented warm winter weather this year, the question on everyone's mind has been, "Will there be snow to run the race?"  Ultimate Iditarod has learned that the Iditarod Trail Committee has decided to move the re-start of the race from Wasilla to the Fairbanks area.  From there, the race will proceed to Tanana and run down the Yukon River to Ruby, proceed backwards on the Northern Route trail to Ophir, and then pick up the traditional Southern Route trail to Iditarod, the Yukon River, the Bering Sea Coast, and Nome.  (See Map Below)  Apparently, the ceremonial start of the race on Saturday, March 1, is still slated to take place in Anchorage.  

    According to Iditarod Race Director Joanne Potts, "Unless a miracle happens, the re-start will be in the Fairbanks area."  Potts also informed Ultimate Iditarod that the exact location of the re-start is still somewhat unclear.  Both Nenana and Fairbanks are good options, and members of the Iditarod Trail Committee will be meeting with community leaders from both cities before making a recommendation to the Iditarod Board of Directors.  The board is expected to make a final decision on Tuesday night.  

    This will be the first time in the race's 31-year history that the re-start was not in the Anchorage area.  The unseasonably warm weather this winter has caused a great deal of melting and created impassable trail conditions between Anchorage and the Iditarod Checkpoint at McGrath.  According to Potts, five feet of water is covering the trail on the Yentna River 70 miles into the race and the South Fork of the Kuskokwim out of Rohn is completely unforzen and flowing "wide open."  By moving the re-start further north, these poor trail conditions, as well as traditionally bad sections through the Farewell Burn will be avoided.  The challenge for the mushers now becomes planning their food and supply drops around a never-before done race course, and they've got only a few days to do it as food drops are due in Anchorage on February 12.

    As for the Junior Iditarod, that race has been moved to start and finish at Wolverine Lodge just out of Glennallen.  Wolverine Lodge owners Tree and Kathy Farmer are very optimistic that an excellent race course with good trail conditions can be established in time for the event.  This area of Alaska is the same region where the Copper Basin 300 sled dog race is run, and snow conditions are currently good there.

    Ultimate Iditarod will continue to post more information as we know it.  Rest assured, this change of plans in no way affects Ultimate Iditarod's mission to provide the best race coverage on the Internet.