Iditarod begins for real Sunday
Published: March 4, 2007
Last Modified: March 5, 2007 at 10:46 AM
WILLOW - Saturday was all about the pomp and circumstance of a parade. Sunday was all about the reality of an 1,100-mile race to Nome. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race began in earnest Sunday with the race restart on frozen-over Willow Lake, a day after the ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage.
This time, the clock was ticking.
Another throng of thousands made their way to the restart, forming a human tunnel from one side of the lake all the way across to the other and up into the woods, cheering on the 82 teams bound for Nome’s burled arch.
But by the time the restart - which began at 2 p.m. - was a half-hour old, a stiff wind had picked up, starching the flags above the start line and sending many people hustling to their cars to escape the bitter breeze.
It was an ominous portent of what awaits the sled dog teams as they make their way toward Skwentna and beyond. The National Weather Service issued an advisory predicting wind chill readings of 45 below through Monday night.
More
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Iditarod dog death under investigation
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‹ With final surge, Steer nails down 3rd place
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