Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Matt Giblin greets fans with Iditarider Danielle Couch, of California, as he passes through the University Lake area during the ceremonial start of t...
Matt Giblin greets fans with Iditarider Danielle Couch, of California, as he passes through the University Lake area during the ceremonial start of the 2012 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Erik Hill)
APTOPIX Iditarod
Aliy Zirkle, of Two Rivers, Ak., drives her dogs during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2012 in Archora...
Aliy Zirkle, of Two Rivers, Ak., drives her dogs during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2012 in Archorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Bob Hallinen)
Iditarod
Matt Giblin, from Juneau, Alaska, comes over the top of the Cordova Street hill during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Satu...
Matt Giblin, from Juneau, Alaska, comes over the top of the Cordova Street hill during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2012 in Archorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Bob Hallinen)
APTOPIX Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Mike Santos gives a fan a high-five during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska. (...
Mike Santos gives a fan a high-five during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/The Anchorage Daily News, Marc Lester)
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has officially started.
Mushers have begun leaving the starting chute in Willow, Alaska. The race will take them nearly a thousand miles across Alaska, to the finish line in Nome.
The grandsons of Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race's co-founder Joe Redington will be the first and last mushers on the trail this year.
Ray Redington Jr., grandson of race co-founder Joe Redington, was the first to leave Willow. His younger brother, Ryan Redington, is competing in his 8th race, but will have to wait to get on the trail. Ryan picked the last spot.
There are 66 mushers competing in this year's race.
