T MINUS 2 DAYS AND COUNTING DOWN...

2 Days to Go until the Ceremonial Start of the 2008 Iditarod, beginning at 10am in Anchorage, Alaska. Due to be at a chilly +17 degrees, the spirit, energy, and love of the community should keep all involved warm enough. But for us, it's Alaska Airlines at 8:45am tomorrow. We check in with the media director of the Iditarod at the Millenium Hotel (Official Iditarod 2008HQ), get our passes, and scout the location before a day sure to be full of excitement, personal goals, and parkas. Until then, keep clicking...

Coutdown to Iditarod 2008

As we write this, Sara and I are packing our cold-weather gear for just south of the Arctic Circle. This year's Iditarod promises to be just as jam-packed with drama, action, and inspiration as ever. Here are some of the competitors: 

 Returning for an amazing run right off his second win at the Yukon Quest, Lance Mackey is sure to win hearts and cheers for his amazing victory, following family tradition and a valiant fight with cancer.  

(www.mackeyscomebackkennel.com)

Also returning are the cast of characters that have made the last decade of Iditarod one of the most competitive endurance sports around: 

                   

                  Jeff King (www.huskyhomestead.com) a major player with a   strong kennel; 
                  Martin Buser (www.buserdog.com)  multiple-time winner of the Iditarod;

DeeDee Jonrow (www.deedeejonrowe.com) a local favorite from Willow, AK; 

Louis Nelson, Sr., an Inupiat Eskimo of Alaska who has raced the trail since he was a child;

 

                                                

With dozens more new comers and champions joining the race this year's Iditarod will have 96 teams of 12 dogs and a racer with over 15 countries participating.  With the stakes as high as ever who knows who will win "The Last Great Race"? Keep logging in to follow our coverage. More to follow from the Trail to Iditarod 2008...