Best of Alaska on display in coming days

The calendar now says March, and for a large chunk of the planet, that means thoughts turn to spring. Here among the more northern latitudes, such thinking is premature.

Alaskans know the first weekend of March means Iditarod. So while thoughts of spring are savored in warmer climes, Alaskans celebrate winter with one of the season's premier attractions.

By any standards, the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an epic event. A distinctly Alaska experience, it is a recognition of our heritage and of the people - and animals - who helped shape this wild land.

Since its inception, the Iditarod has stood as a symbol of the uniqueness and wildness of Alaska. The men and women of the race, along with the canine athletes they manage, are part of the fabric of life here in the Last Frontier.

Saturday, the traditional ceremonial start brings all of the race's pomp and media glitz to Fourth Avenue in Anchorage, where the mushers and their teams will be showcased to an international audience. Sunday, the real race begins when the &#8220restart” leaves from Willow.

This year, 83 mushers and their teams of canine athletes will hit the famed Iditarod Trail in a singular display of competition virtually unmatched anywhere.

The Valley has long been a mushing hot bed. The Iditarod race itself was spawned in the area, and some of the race's most loved and decorated mushers call the Valley home.

This year is no different. Twenty Valley mushers, including four-time champion Martin Buser and perennial top finishers DeeDee Jonrowe, Linwood Fiedler and Ramey Smyth, will be part of the marathon wilderness race to Nome.

We wish the entire field the best of luck in this year's race - and perhaps a bit extra to Valley mushers!