2020 Iditarod this weekend

ANCHORAGE — The 2020 Iditarod is nearly here and people all over the state are making their final preparations. The ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage starts Saturday at 10 a.m and the official restart in Willow is Sunday at 2 p.m.

Iditarod officials shared important information and trail updates during their media briefing at the Lakefront Anchorage March 4.

There’s a lot of excitement stirring around this year’s race. The field’s looking really good, according to race director and race marshall Mark Nordman.

Out of the 57 registered mushers, there are 45 veterans,12 rookies, and five former champions. Past winners include Lance Mackey, Martin Buser, Mitch Seavey, Joar Leifseth Ulsom and Peter Kaiser.

Nordman said the mix of seasoned pros and up and coming young mushers will make for a very interesting race. He said former champions with multiple wins like Buser will be facing off with longtime competitors like Aliy Zirkle, who’s hungry for first place.

“There’s just a bunch of people that are right on the edge of being able to win this thing,” Nordman said.

The heavy snowfall means mushers will have to pace themselves, but generally speaking, more snow makes for a safer race, according to Nordman. He said that as far as wilderness races go, he doesn’t see 2020 as a dangerous trail.

“I might call it a ‘working dogs’ trail… It’s going to be management as always,” Nordman said.

The 2019 purse was around $500,000 and it was dispersed among the top 20 finishers. A total of $1,049 was paid to each additional finisher.

Thousands of people from across the state will flock to Willow Sunday morning, according to Nordman. Mushers, volunteers, dog handlers, business owners, corporate sponsors, and spectators will be strewn across Willow Lake, the community center, the trail, and various restart parties in local cabins.

“I would just say travel safe, fly safe; because there’s a lot of traffic. People just need to be reminded it’s the biggest show in the state for this time of year. Just be careful and enjoy it,” Nordman said.

The Iditarod is proving shuttle services once again. There are various pick up locations across Anchorage and the Valley.

Those who drive there will need to bring $10 for parking. Handicapped parking will be located as close as possible to the Willow Community Center entrance and the general public isn’t permitted to park there. There will be designated parking areas with volunteer flaggers.

On the way in keep an eye out for electronic sign boards located on the Parks Highway in Wasilla and at Houston High School with updates on Willow’s parking availability.

Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach reminded the public there’s still time to enter their new “game of chance,” the Trifecta, an opportunity for Alaskan mushing fans and fans across the world to win a cash purse for guessing the most accurate results, down to the musher, time and number of dogs.

The total number of entries determines the Trifecta purse. The bigger the pot, the bigger the pay out and only one lucky winner to take it all once the results come in.

Iditarod fans have until March 8 to enter their guess in this year’s pot. It costs $10 per guess and there’s no guess limit.

Urbach is excited to travel the trail and visit the various rural communities for the first time as CEO. He said the race is going to be a very competitive race that will be very fun to follow.

“We’re going to have a great race,” Urbach said.

For more information, call 907-376-5155 or visit iditarod.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com