Iditarod musher tests positive for COVID-19 at McGrath checkpoint

An Iditarod musher was withdrawn from the 2021 race after testing positive for COVID-19 Wednesday. Gunner Johnson of Duluth, Minnesota, tested positive for the virus at the McGrath checkpoint.

Iditarod Race Marshal Mark Nordman, in consultation with epidemiologist Dr. Jodie Guest, made the decision to withdraw Johnson, according to an update provided by the Iditarod Wednesday night. All mushers are tested for COVID-19 just outside the McGrath checkpoint using a rapid antigen test, per the Iditarod COVID-19 mitigation plan. After Johnson’s initial positive test, he was retested twice and the results were also positive. Johnson was immediately removed from the checkpoint area, according to the Iditarod, and will isolate in an Arctic oven tent before he can be safely transported off the trail. Johnson did not come into close contact with race personnel or community members, nor did he enter any buildings or community spaces in McGrath. However, he did park his team as he was planning to rest at the checkpoint, Iditarod officials said in the update. The Iditarod added that contact tracing has already started and additional mitigation measures will be taken as needed.

Veteran Brent Sass, of Eureka, was the first to reach the Iditarod checkpoint, the halfway point of the 2021 race. Sass hit the checkpoint at 6:08 p.m. Wednesday with 14 dogs in harness. Sass also earned the Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award, and will have the choice between $3,000 in gold nuggets or a smartphone with a year of service courtesy of GCI.

As of about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aaron Pack and Millie Porslid had left Ophir en route for Iditarod, and eight others had reached Ophir.

Porslid is one of five mushers in the top 10 Wednesday night who had already completed the mandatory 8-hour layover, with the 24-hour layover still to go.

Rookie Brenda Mackey, of Two Rivers, scratched Wednesday at 7:45 a.m. in Nikolai. Mackey had nine dogs in harness, and scratched in the best interest of her team, according to the Iditarod.

Earlier this week, a former champ was the first to reach McGrath and a fan favorite was forced out of the 2021 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Dallas Seavey, a winner of multiple Iditarod titles, was the first to reach McGrath, hitting the checkpoint Tuesday at 4 p.m. with 14 dogs in harness.

Aliy Zirkle, a three-time runner-up, was forced to scratch Monday night. after suffering an injury en route to the Rohn checkpoint. Iditarod Race Marshal Mark Nordman, based on information provided by a volunteer with medical training, notified the Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center for assistance. The Alaska RCC arrived at the checkpoint at 12:14 a.m. Tuesday and transported Zirkle safely to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for further evaluation, according to Iditarod officials.

Zirkle is in stable but guarded condition after sustaining a significant impact that resulted in a concussion and orthopedic injuries to her upper torso. Zirkle has been released from the hospital and is resting in Anchorage with family and plans to return home when they are able.

Zirkle had 14 dogs in harness when she arrived in Rohn. Her race team is uninjured and being well cared for by volunteers at the Rohn checkpoint where they will wait for the first flight out to be flown to Anchorage and driven back home.

Seavey earned the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award as the first musher to reach McGrath. Seavey was presented with the handmade prizes created by McGrath residents. Seavey received a pair of musher mittens made of beaver fur and moose hide handmade by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath. Originally from Anvik on the lower Yukon, Maillelle often shares her skin sewing and beading talents — as well as her delicious cooking — with the community. In addition, Seavey also received a musher hat made from beaver fur and beaded velvet made by Lucy Egrass of McGrath.

For updated results, see https://iditarod.com/race/2021/standings/

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