2020 Iditarod

48th Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
VenueIditarod Trail
LocationAlaska
DatesMarch 7–18, 2020
Competitors58
Champion
Thomas Waerner

The 2020 Iditarod is the 48th iteration of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. The race began on Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska and was won by Thomas Waerner on March 18, in Nome.[1] There was 58 mushers signed up to participate, including former champions and noted racers Robert Bundtzen, Martin Buser, Peter Kaiser, Lance Mackey, Nicolas Petit, Mitch Seavey, Joar Leifseth Ulsom, and Aliy Zirkle.[2][3] The race started before Alaska's first coronavirus case on March 13, and after that incident, checkpoints were relocated or eliminated and gathering in Nome for the finish was discouraged.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Iditarod joins new international race circuit in an effort to increase exposure, showcase dog care". Anchorage Daily News. October 23, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Iditarod joins QPAWS, 3 other sled dog races as part of new race circuit". www.ktva.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Musher denied entry to 2020 Iditarod disputes race officials' concerns over his dog care". Anchorage Daily News. August 24, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  4. ^ Zachariah Hughes (March 14, 2020). "'Well that's a little different': Iditarod mushers learn about moved checkpoints, closed schools as coronavirus concerns grow". Alaska Public Media.