The 38th running of The Last Great Race on Earth started, officially, on Willow Lake, Alaska, this past Sunday. The lead mushers reached Rohn, checkpoint #5 this morning. You can follow the 1100 mile race to Nome at the website of the Idiatrod Insider, here, or through the Sports section of the Alaska Daily News, here.
Here are my picks for the first place male and female finishers this year:
That's Aliy Zirkle, Bib #50 this year. She was the third female finisher last year, and finished #17 overall. I just think she's ready to finish first among the ladies and in the top 10 overall.
That's Sebastian Schnuelle, Bib #35 this year. He finished second to Lance Mackey last year, and appears determined to keep Mackey from passing him this year. The above photo is Schnuelle winning the Yukon Quest last year, just ahead of fellow musher Hugh Neff. It was the closest finish ever in that 1600 km race, which ends in Fairbanks.
