More than 50 register for 2013 Iditarod

WASILLA — A half-dozen former champions lead a pack of 54 mushers who have signed up for the 2013 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Nine rookies also committed to running in the 2013 race. Mushers had the first chance to sign up at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. Registration continued until 3 p.m. at Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters in Wasilla, which also hosted its annual picnic.

Defending champion Dallas Seavey is among the six champions in the 2013 field. The list of former champs also includes four-time winners Lance Mackey, Martin Buser and Jeff King. Former champions John Baker and Mitch Seavey also registered.

A number of prominent Valley mushers have also entered the race. That list includes DeeDee Jonrowe (Willow), Ray Redington Jr. (Wasilla), Cim Smyth (Big Lake) and Ramey Smyth (Willow).

2013 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race entries

As of Saturday afternoon

Christine Roalofs (r), Anchorage; Newton Marshall, Jamaica; Ken Anderson, Fairbanks; Michelle Phillips, Yukon; DeeDee Jonrowe, Willow; Gerry Willomitzer, Whitehorse; Scott Janssen, Anchorage; Pete Kaiser, Bethel; Gerald Sousa, Talkeetna; Jesse Royer, Darby, Mont.; Michael Suprenant, Chugiak; Kelly Maixner, Big Lake; Robert Bundtzen, Anchorage; Luan Ramos Marques (r), Willow; Paul Gebhardt, Kasilof; Mike Williams Sr., Akiak; Mitch Seavey, Sterling; Bob Chlupach, Willow; Ray Redington Jr., Wasilla; Martin Buser, Big Lake; Rudolph Demoski Sr., Wasilla; Jason Mackey, Wasilla; Cim Smyth, Big Lake; Susie Rogan, Yukon; Paige Drobny, Fairbanks; Joar Leifseth Ulsom (r), Roros, Norway; Curt Perano, Christchurch, New Zealand; Angie Taggart, Anchorage; Ed Stielstra, McMillan, Mich.; Jan Steves, Edmonds, Wash.; Kristy Berington, Kasilof; Jodi Bailey, Chatanika; Jerry Joinson (r), Fort St. James, B.C.; Cindy Gallea, Wykoff, Minn.; Jeff King, Denali Park; Aliy Zirkle, Two Rivers; Travis Beals (r), Seward; Allen Moore, Two Rivers; Karin Hendrickson, Wasilla; Mike Ellis (r), Two Rivers; Nicolas Petit, Girdwood; Linwood Fiedler, Willow; Mike Williams Jr, Akiak; Rohn Buser, Big Lake; Ramey Smyth, Willow; Lance Mackey, Fairbanks; Aaron Burmeister, Nome; Jake Berkowitz, Big Lake; Charley Bejna (r), Addison, Ill.; Justin Savidis, Willow; Dallas Seavey, Willow; Anna Berington, Kasilof; Kelley Griffin, Wasilla; John Baker, Kotzebue.

(r) donates rookie