Iditarod trail route changes again

For the second time in less than a week, the route of the 2003 Iditarod Sled Dog Race has changed again.

Poor conditions on portions of the trail forced race officials to alter the route once again.

The trail had sent mushers south from Ruby through Cripple, Ophir, Iditarod and to Shageluk. The current edition of the trail will send mushers east along the Yukon River from Ruby through Galena and Nulato and on to Kaltag. From Kaltag the route will travel south on the Yukon to Eagle Island, Anvik, Shageluk and to Grayling. From Gralying teams will head to Kaltag through Eagle Island. At Kaltag the trial will follow the coastline to Nome.

The ceremonial start of the Last Great Race will be held in Anchorage Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. The race will then restart on Monday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at Pike's Landing along the Chena River in Fairbanks.