Willow community prepares for 2022 Iditarod Restart

WASILLA — The 2022 Iditarod Restart is scheduled for Sunday, March 6. Mushers from across the state and from around the world will take off from the Willow Community Center at 2 p.m. in two-minute intervals.

“It’s always the biggest weekend of the year for us. We all look forward to it. It just adds more excitement to our community,” Willow Chamber of Commerce vice president Jim Houston said.

According to Houston, the recent overflow conditions have made preparations more difficult. He said the pandemic and related mitigation efforts have resulted in a lower participation rate among trail groomers and other volunteers in the Willow area. In spite of the limited capacity, numerous volunteers have still committed to making their rounds across the community to ensure a safe and fun weekend for everyone.

“We have a tremendous amount of snow out here and they’re working hard to get everything cleared back for the Iditarod. The trails are in even though we had so much snow that we got behind for a while, but we’re pretty well caught up now,” Houston said.

The restart touches many lives across Willow. Houston said the influx of visitors noticeably impact their community over the weekend.

“It’s always a big boon to the are. The beds and breakfasts are all booked full and the restaurants are busy. The gas stations are pumping,” Houston said.

Willow residents across the community are involved in the Iditarod each year, whether it’s grooming trails or flagging for parking, or anything else in between. Businesses, groups, and individuals pool their resources and donate their time to make the restart happen.

Houston said that volunteering for the Iditarod is an annual tradition for many of his friends and neighbors, and the Iditarod pulls in volunteers from across the globe.

“That army will always be here and it’s going to be a successful Iditarod Restart,” Houston said.

Shuttles for the 2022 Iditarod can be taken from Anchorage or Wasilla. Masks are required for all bus occupants.

For more information about the 2022 Iditarod including the shuttle schedule, visit iditarod.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com