60 sign up for 2015 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

WASILLA — Under picture-perfect skies, 60 mushers — including reigning champ Dallas Seavey and four-time champs Lance Mackey, Jeff King and Martin Buser — signed up for the 43rd running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Race rookie Ben Harper drew the No. 1 bib and he also won back his $3,000 entry fee in a drawing that capped the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic Saturday afternoon. Race veteran Jan Steve of Edmonds, Washington was the other lucky winner.

While many Alaskans were out fishing or camping on this beautiful weekend, nearly 200 folks showed up Saturday to launch the start of the 2015 Iditarod.

In conjunction with the signup, the Iditarod Trail Committee also hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation picnic, its annual membership meeting, and set dates for next year’s race-related events.

Considering that last year alone the race boasted 1,800 volunteers, the crowd reflected a good mix of mushers and volunteers.

Anita Chace began volunteering for the race in the early 1970s. A longtime business owner in Palmer, Chace hails from the same high school (in Concord New Hampshire) as musher Dick Mackey. As volunteers, Chace along with her friend, Debbie McCarthy made and then hauled a huge container of soup out to the end of Knik Lake. There they handed out cupfuls to the passing mushers. Chace said she hoped to see Mackey at the event, and listened for his “booming voice” among the crowd. She tells those listening that if they haven’t been to the finish at Nome, “You are really missing out!”

Colleen and Doug Carter moved to Alaska seven years ago due to a job relocation. They volunteered for the Iditarod since their first year here. Their jobs included making dog paw ointment and participating in people food and dog food drops.

Doug said the picnic is a great opportunity to visit with other volunteers and mushers without the stress of the race looming. “During the race, people depend on you. You don’t want to mess up. Today it’s way more relaxed.”

The notorious mushing twins, Kristy and Anna Berington, showed up, much to the delight of adoring fans.

Fans waited in line for a photo op and conversation with last year’s runner up, Aliy Zirkle. She explains to an inquiring fan that she had no regrets over last year’s race. When asked to comment on her and her husband’s Allen Moore’s success in dog racing, Zirkle explained, “We are following our passion, are dedicated to the sport, and have great dogs.” Although Zirkle traveled from Two Rivers near Fairbanks to attend the event, she had already submitted her application by mail. “My fans are my greatest advantage. The go on this ride with me. They experience many of the same emotions that I do.”

By 2:30 the musher list tops 57 with rookies totaling 12. Among the rookies is Rob Cooke originally from England now living in Whitehorse. He chats with Doug Guilliot, race master of the Yukon Quest.

Charley Bejna flew in from Illinois; 2015 will make his third Iditarod. “It’s a great time to thank the volunteers and see some friends,” said Bejna. Benja will return in October to begin training for the March race.

Dan Seavey, participant in the first Iditarod, and grandfather of last year’s winner, Dallas, Seavey, attended with an entourage of family members. He approached Zirkle and they greated each other warmly with a hug. As Seavey spoke, Zirkle flashed her larger-than-life smile. They spoke for several moments and then Seavey leaned in closer and said softly, “Seriously we’d love to see you win.”

The 2015 ceremonial start is March 7 in Anchorage. The official start takes place the following day in Willow.

For information about how to volunteer for the Iditarod, visit Iditarod.com.

Iditarod 2015 field

(as of June 28)

Benjamin Harper, Wasilla, Rookie; Dallas Seavey, Willow, Champion; Kristy Berrington, Kasilof, Veteran; Gwenn Bogart, Wasilla Rookie; Pete Kaiser, Bethel, Veteran; Lance Mackey, Fairbanks, Champion; Lisbet Skogen Norris, Willow, Veteran; Halverson Wasilla, Veteran; Richie Diehl, Aniak, Veteran; Mitch Seavey, Seward, Champion; Casillo, Palmer, Veteran; Seth Barnes, Nenana, Rookie; Matt Failor, Willow, Veteran; Travis Beals, Seward, Veteran; Curt Perano, Willow, Veteran; Mats Peterson, Kiruna, Sweden Veteran; Charley Bejna, Wasilla, Veteran; Philip Walters, Eagle River, Rookie; Savidis, Willow, Veteran; Hugh Neff, Tok, Veteran; Cindy Abbott, Irvine, California, Rookie; Jaimee High, Willow, Veteran; Jan Steves, Edmonds Washington, Veteran; Scott Janssen, Anchorage, Veteran; Eischens, Wasilla, Rookie; Allen Moore, Two Rivers, Veteran; Monica Zappa, Kasilof, Veteran; Sarah Stokey, Seward, Rookie; Paul Gebhart, Kasilof, Veteran; Marcelle Fressineau, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, Veteran; Becca Moore, Willow, Rookie; Nathan Schroeder, Chisholm, Minnesota, Veteran; Joar Leifseth Ulsom, Mo i Rana, Norway, Veteran; Aliy Zirkle Two Rivers, Veteran; Michelle Phillips, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, Veteran; Anna Berrington, Wasilla, Veteran; Thomas Wærner, Nord-Torpa Norway, Rookie; Paige Drobny, Fairbanks, Veteran; Maixner, Big Lake, Veteran; Isabelle Travadon, Plan De la Tour France, Rookie; Laura Allaway, Fairbanks, Rookie; Ken Anderson, Fairbanks, Veteran; Lachlan Clarke, Buena Vista, Colorado, Veteran; Nicholas Petit, Girdwood, Veteran; Rohn Buser, Big Lake, Veteran; Redington Jr., Knik, Veteran; Jim Lanier, Chugiak, Veteran; Lev Shvarts, Willow Rookie; Mark Sellend, Anchorage Rookie; Yvonne Dabakk, Fairbanks, Veteran; Gerald So, Talkeetna, Veteran; Karin Hendrickson, Wasilla, Veteran; Brian Wilmshurst, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada, Rookie; Rob Cooke, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, Rookie; Martin Buser, Big Lake, Champion; Jodi Bailey, Fairbanks, Veteran; Dee Dee Jonrowe, Willow, Veteran; King, Denali Park, Champion; Linwood Fiedler, Willow, Veteran; Jessie Royer, Darby Montana, Veteran.