Iditarod COO provides update over webinar

WASILLA — Iditarod COO Chas St. George recently hosted a webinar with Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau marketing and communications manager Casey Ressler to provide a general update on the race and their current COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

“It just wouldn’t be the Iditarod without challenges to face. This year we have many challenges to face,” St. George said. “One thing we do know is that perseverance is gonna rule over this.”

St. George said the Iditarod brought on an epidemiologist from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, who used to be one of their volunteer veterinarians. He said when she was asked for her help, she was “all over it” and has been extremely helpful in their efforts to map out a safe and socially distant race.

“What we were able to do is build a set of protocols that really do mean something to the state of Alaska… We’re always in that flux and we always know the best for us to be is to be flexible and to make sure we meet our commitment of zero exposure to COVID during this race,” St. George said.

The ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage is one of the staple Iditarod traditions in flux, according to St. George. He said they’ve been coordinating with city officials to work out the best course of actions as to whether or not it will happen this year.

“The big question is the risk. We’re convinced we’ll have a good answer and good path probably by late next week or early the week after,” St. George said.

Iditarod officials recently confirmed the race trail will look different this year to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Instead of starting from Willow and finishing in Nome, the race will begin and end at Deshka Landing, breaking from the historical tradition.

The main reason for the change is to limit the potential for exposure, and people are discouraged from watching the restart in Deshka Landing, according to St. George. He said it’s unfortunate that they can’t pack in the huge crowds of excited people at the Willow Community Center to watch the mushers take off like they normally do, but it’s the best way they can mitigate the spread of the virus.

“We are encouraging people not to come out, simply because we need to keep our area as safe as possible,” St. George said. “By the time they get to the place they’re gonna be at Deshka Landing, these mushers will have already had three tests. Many of us will already have had four tests. And, we’ll continue that throughout the race.”

St. George said that the Iditarod would continue to provide updates on a regular basis, and they’re all working to keep the all encompassing, world famous race on track. He took a moment to credit pioneering mushers like the “Father of the Iditarod” Joe Redington Sr. for blazing the trail way for today’s racers by literally beating the path, and forming lasting relationships with the various rural communities along the trail.

“It was because of the fortitude of those mushers who came before us, who actually had to clear their own trail when they ran this race. Today it’s like a highway,” St. George said.

For updates and more information, visit Iditarod.com.

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