ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – Much of the start of the world’s most famous sled dog race is covered in barren gravel, forcing Iditarod organizers to move the start further north where there is snow and ice.
A weather pattern that buried the eastern U.S. in snow has left Alaska fairly warm and relatively snow-free this winter, especially south of the Alaska Range.
“If I have one more person say to me to move the Iditarod to Boston, I’m going to shake my head,” said race director Mark Nordman.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race starts Saturday with a ceremonial run through Anchorage. But the official start two days later has been moved 225 miles (360 kilometers) north, over the Alaska Range, to Fairbanks to avoid the area that left many mushers bruised and bloodied last year. Iditarod officials said the conditions are worse this year.
The race’s chief executive officer, Stan Hooley, called the conditions “pretty miserable.” And last year was no picnic.