J's World

Fairbanks saves the Iditarod

By Jeremiah Bartz-Frontiersman Sports Editor

I stood on the ice of the Chena River Sunday morning and gazed down the trail that would soon be filled with barking dogs and eager mushers. A slight breeze blew up river. The temperatures are surprisingly comfortable for a March weekend in Fairbanks.

While folks in the Valley are contemplating building an ark as they brave pouring rains, the average Fairbanksian is enjoying a tepid afternoon, and not the mind-numbing temperatures they are used to.

It may not be the most ideal of conditions for the competitors, but if this weather sticks around, fans from miles around will get to see the mushers as they head off toward Nome.

After months of speculation about the conditions of the trail due to poor weather, the race is finally on.

The 31st Iditarod will undoubtedly be memorable, as race history is made.

Every year there is great excitement surrounding the Iditarod, but this year is even more special.

The Iditarod Trail Committee had to fight great adversity to even keep the race going this year. Moving the restart to Fairbanks is a small price to pay if the sake of the race depends on it.

Iditarod 31 starting in Fairbanks is like Diet Pepsi Twist -- it is a good thing, just a little different. Although Diet Pepsi Twist is not as good as the original, it gives you a different taste, a different perspective, but still satisfies your thirst.

Obviously Valley residents do not want to see the restart move north permanently, but holding it in Fairbanks this season gives the Last Great Race a bit of a twist. It remains Alaska's most noted sporting event.

Possibly the most exciting aspect of the 31st Iditarod, is that it could be anyone's race, and you couldn't have said that for the last decade. The new route evens the score. The Fairbanks mushers could have an advantage, considering it is their neck of the woods, but few participants have significant experience traveling on the 2003 northern route.

It is also exciting for the communities who have the opportunity to see the race pass through their town for the first time in history.

Residents in the likes of Manley and Tanana will get to witness history first-hand.

This really is the race for all Alaska, something that may not have been able to be said before.

The Iditarod Trail Committee has done a wonderful job of turning many negatives into positives and averting a potential disaster.

Canceling the race would have only robbed mushers of their opportunity to compete, and in some cases their lively hood, and the world to witness one of the most unique sporting events.

Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz (sports@frontiersman.com) will be at the start and the end of the 31st Iditarod. Keep reading the Frontiersman for the latest Iditarod updates.