This story is free to read.

Fan-friendly event kicks off Iditarod race across Alaska

This March 2, 2013, file photo shows musher Mike Williams Sr. greeting fans during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska. This year's ceremonial start will be held Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Anchorage, Alaska, but the actual start will come two days later in Fairbanks after low snow conditions in the Alaska Range forced the start from the Anchorage area and over the range to Fairbanks. (AP File Photo/Dan Joling) This March 2, 2013, file photo shows musher Mike Williams Sr. greeting fans during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska. This year's ceremonial start will be held Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Anchorage, Alaska, but the actual start will come two days later in Fairbanks after low snow conditions in the Alaska Range forced the start from the Anchorage area and over the range to Fairbanks. (AP File Photo/Dan Joling)

By Associated Press March 4, 2017 1 min read

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – The sound of howling dogs is filling downtown Anchorage as the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race gets underway Saturday.

About 2,000 dogs belonging to the teams of 72 mushers are waiting their turns to hit the trail for this year’s running of the world’s most famous sled dog race.

The ceremonial start is a fan-friendly event designed to show off mushing to fans in Alaska’s largest city. It will see mushers leave every two minutes in a staggered start along Fourth Avenue. The mushers will run their teams for 11 miles, on city streets and trails lined with fans.

The race turns more serious Monday when the competitive portion of the Iditarod starts in Fairbanks. The winner is expected in Nome about eight days later.