Different course for 2014 Junior Iditarod

WASILLA — A legend in his sport has helped ensure that the next generation of mushers have a chance to compete this weekend.

With the 2014 Junior Iditarod facing uncertainty, four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser stepped up to offer his Happy Trails Kennels to be the home of the start and the finish of the race, which is scheduled to begin Saturday morning. That offer may have saved the 2014 race, organizer Barb Redington said Thursday afternoon.

“It really did. We had a couple of other options we could have pursued, but going to Martin’s means we don’t have to go further up either the Glenn or the Parks Highway,” Redington said.

Redington said the final call to move the start and finish to Buser’s Big Lake area kennels was made last week due to the icy conditions that blanket the old course.

“Once we made the decision, he welcomed us from the start,” Redington said of Buser.

The 2014 route will lead teams from Happy Trails to the Yentna Station Roadhouse. There will be a mandatory 10-hour layover in Yentna and teams will return to Happy Trails. Redington said the new route will be between 130 and 140 total miles.

The race had ended in Willow in past years.

Redington said the move of the start and finish to Happy Trails includes a number of advantages, including groomed trails around Buser’s kennels.

“He has a good base at his place,” Redington said. “(Buser) went out to the river, some of the areas we have to go, and gave us good reports.”

Ten mushers are in the field for the 2014 race. Four mushers are from the Valley. Andrew Nolan, Kevin Harper and Benjamin Harper are from Wasilla, and Nicole Forto calls Willow home.

The field also features Sterling’s Conway Seavey, the 2012 Junior Iditarod champion and 2013 runner-up. Benjamin Harper finished fourth last year.

Despite the move of the start and finish to Happy Trails Kennel, Redington said the Junior Iditarod banquet will stay at the Willow Community Center and is scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. The annual awards and scholarships will be given at the banquet.

Teams are scheduled to leave Happy Trails Kennel Saturday at 10 a.m. Redington said the top teams could be back to Happy Trails by 9 or 10 a.m. Sunday.