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March 10, 2015 by
Aliy and Nacho

Every year, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is unique.  Each race has its own pace, face, trials, tribulations, joys and moments. The 2015 race is no different.  From the moment that the Fairbanks Restart was announced, this race took on a completely different feel! After SP Kennel’s blitz to Anchorage and back, it was a relief to load the dogs from their own houses (and Aliy and Allen from theirs!) into the trucks this morning.  We were quite a sight, dog trucks and cars making our way into Fairbanks at 6 am, snow falling from the sky. By 8:30, the temperature had dropped to a nice 0 degrees and should steadily fall over the night tonight to about -20.  Perfect dog mushing weather!

Red Team Start

At about 10:40 am AST, the Iditarod Officials started the Red Team on their trek up to the starting line.  It took us along the road that stretches from the Tanana Chief Riverboat to the boat launch at Pikes, more our summer haunts than our winter ones.  As we approached the starting line, the “Aliy” chants began.  The crowd welcomed their hometown racer and Yukon Quest Champion.  After about a minute and a half in the shoot, Aliy hopped on the runners and began her journey to Nome.  Aliy has done presentations at many of the schools around Fairbanks and most schools in the area were at the start today.  She had children cheering for her for over a mile after the start.

Black Team

The handlers quickly made their way back to the parking area and began preparing the Black Team. Our march to the starting line was a steady one, with only one quick stop at a hair pin turn and another brief one on deck.  The crowd greeted their 2 time Quest Champion with a loud cheer. Allen barely had time to make a last inspection before he and the Black Team were also off down the trail.



The first two checkpoints, Nenana and Manley, are like Quest checkpoints.  After grabbing something to eat, Moira, Spenser, Meghan and Doug took the dog truck to Nenana to meet the teams.  Moira reported that both teams looked great!

Both the Red and the Black teams are making their way to Manley now.  It was an exciting day and a good start to the 2015 Iditarod.  Videos and more pictures of today will be coming tomorrow. 
We would like to thank the City of Fairbanks and all of our friends and neighbors for putting on such a wonderful send off.  Thank you to all of the Iditarod Staff and Volunteers, here, in Anchorage and all over Alaska for working so hard to make it happen.  Thank you, also, to Willow.  We saw all the work you did and greatly appreciate it.

Enjoy the race!!

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10 Responses

  • Ditto
    Thank you Fairbanks.
    And thank you SPK handlers.

    You got Aliy and Allen off to a fantastic start, Woohoo!

  • Thank you, Kaz for the awesome description of the first day of the race!!!! Must have been a sight to behold!!!
    Very intense week to follow … for you at the kennel and on the trail and for us on our computers😍
    Our hearts are with SPK all the way to Nome!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾

  • Thanks so much KAZ!!!

    I cried reading about all the Fairbanks area kids cheering for the Red Team!!!

    Go Aliy!!!

    Go Allen!!!

    Woof, woof, woof!!!

    Best,

    Margaret

  • We're glued to the online tracker in Boise, Idaho and cheering for Aliy and the Red Team again this year!! We love you all and are enjoying all your blog pictures and updates!!

  • Great report – I was able to see Aliy from the Tanana River loading dock sight, and Allen further up river as I headed back to the office.

    It was more like the Ceremonial start for being able to be so close to the trail (may have been less fun for mushers).

    Teresa and Jamie took the opportunity to replace batteries at the Bonanza Creek Watershed LTER site and gave them cheers in the middle of the trail – very cool!

    So far, I am loving this route.

  • So sweet! Thank you so much for the updates. I am constantly seeking and looking for all information and cling on each descriptive! Thank you so much! Wishing we could have a 'quiet' drone following and filming both teams as the progress along and beaming it down to us .. I can only visualize in my mind once they get beyond the fray of the other teams how serene and tranquil the trail must be. Mmmmmmm!!
    Thank you for you behind the scenes work to give us this!!

  • Just a note: Allen it would seem now has left Manley Hot Springs – with 15 dogs – hope everything is OK!!!

    –Margaret

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