Over the years, the Iditarod has moved the start(restart) from Wasilla to Willow several times because of the lack of snow. As a matter of fact, the start has been in Willow since 2002 except in 2003 when the lack of snow moved the race to Fairbanks. In 2007 the decision was made to permanently move the restart to Willow citing safety of mushers and their dogs. It made since. The Wasilla area has grown so much that it was difficult for the mushers to avoid the congestion of people and traffic.
The restart in Willow was very crowded this year. I remember a few years back I could put on my dog food coat and wander among the mushers. No longer, the crowds are amazingly thick. We used to hike across the lake and practically be by ourselves. Now the crowd extends across the lake and into the woods.
- Willow Restart Crowd
I was able to work my way into the crowd to snap some photos, but it was not easy.
- Blake Matray
Here is a shot of Blake Matray's beautiful team of dogs.
Some of the fun of the Iditarod is meeting the characters in the crowd, it is a great place for people watching.
- Only in Alaska!
- Paul Gebhardt's team
- Bjornar Anderson from Norway
- Aliy Zirkle
Aliy always has a great smile, I got some great shots of her last year too.
- Melissa Owens on her way home to Nome
- DeeDee Jonrowe
- Martin Buser
- Lance Mackey
Lance was followed everywhere by photographers and film makers!
- Lance Mackey
- Lance Mackey's lead dogs ready to go
- My lovely wife
Mike
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