Iditarod teams hit downtown Anchorage for annual ceremonial start

The Iditarod Trail Committee celebrated its ceremonial start of the 54th running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Saturday morning in downtown Anchorage.

About three dozen teams will compete for the 2026 title when the race begins for real Sunday at 2 p.m. at the restart on Willow Lake. But Saturday served as a chance for the mushers to wave to fans and showcase their teams during a snowy day in a packed downtown.

Willow rookie Adam Lindenmuth will be the first musher to leave the chute on Willow Lake Sunday afternoon to officially signal the start of the 54th Iditarod Trail Sled Race.

Lindenmuth notched the honor during the annual Iditarod Mushers Drawing Banquet Thursday night at the Dena’ina Civic Convention Center in Anchorage Thursday evening.

The 2026 Iditarod includes past champions Jessie Holmes, Ryan Redington and Peter Kaiser.

2026 Iditarod start order:

2. Adam Lindenmuth, Willow; 3. Rohn Buser, Big Lake; 4. Travis Beals, Seward; 5. Ryan Redington, Knik; 6. Kjell Rokke, Switzerland; 7. Jessie Holmes, Brushkana; 8. Chad Stoddard, Anchorage; 9. Bailey Vitello, Nenana; 10. Paige Drobny, Cantwell; 11. Joseph Sabin, Two Rivers; 12. Keaton Loebrich, Fairbanks; 13. Thomas Waerner, Norway; 14. Jessie Royer, Seeley Lake, Mountain; 15. Mille Porslid, Denmark; 16. Matt Hall, Two Rivers; 17. Lauro Eklund, Two Rivers; 18. Gabe Dunham, Willow; 19. Riley Dyche, Big Lake; 20. Sydnie Bahl, Wasilla; 21. Richie Beattie, Fairbanks; 22. Jason Mackey, Fairbanks; 23. Hanna Lyrek, Alta, Norway; 24. Sam Martin, Chelmsford, Massachusetts; 25. Sam Paperman, Seward; 26. Wade Marrs, Willow; 27. Josi Shelley, Fairbanks; 28. Jaye Foucher, Wentworth, New Hampshire; 29. Jesse Terry, Sioux Lookout, Ontario; 30. Michelle Phillips, Ten Mile, Yukon Territory; 31. Sadie Lindquist, Seward; 32. Jody Potts-Joseph, Eagle Village; 33. Peter Kaiser, Bethel; 34. Kevin Hansen, Kotzebue; 35. Jeff Deeter, Fairbanks; 36. Brenda Mackey, Fairbanks; 37. Grayson Bruton, Tok; 38. Steve Curtis, British Columbia.