Among the most sought-after were defending champion Jeff King and three-time winner Martin Buser. Between them, the two have shared the top spot in six of the past seven Iditarods. Other popular racers included perennial contenders DeeDee Jonrowe and Vern Halter.

But even Anchorage's biggest hall wasn't large enough to accommodate all the fans who wanted in.

Every $50 ticket was gone by the first week in February, and officials had a waiting list of more than 200 names, said Cheryl Church, volunteer coordinator for the Iditarod.

Some people picked up tickets that mushers or sponsors didn't use, she said. But as of last week more than 100 people were still on the list, including a host of Lower 48 fans flying in for the race.

That popularity is a far cry from the early days when the banquet easily fit in a downtown hotel banquet room.

Back then, the prize money was less than the $50,000 offered for first place this year and the banquet was a cozier affair.

"It was more relaxed," said Sheep Creek musher John Barron who has been attending banquets since his rookie race in 1979. "Now they throw the food at you, and it's so long and boring."

The banquet's allure has paralleled the race's rising popularity.

Twice now it been moved to accommodate demand - first to the Egan Center, then to the Sullivan Arena five years ago.

Why so many want to attend an event, described by some as interminable and poorly catered, baffles Barron.

"I can understand going a first time," he said. "It's like having a bunch of football players in town. You get to go meet them. But a second time? Get Charter North, they need help."

Even Iditarod officials admit to being a bit mystified by the banquet's success.

"It's kind of a surprise," said Iditarod Trail Committee Executive Director Stan Hooley. "I mean, you've been there, need I say more."

The event itself hasn't changed much over the years. Besides a few musical selections, usually one or two by Hobo Jim, the main fare is the drawing for start positions and the musher speeches about the race, their sponsors or whatever they feel like talking about.

The real appeal, though, lies in what the event offers to fans - a chance to see and talk to mushers.

"I think it speaks to the desire for Iditarod fans to rub shoulders with competitors," Hooley said.

Joanne Utt, of Knik, can vouch for that. One of those still hoping for a ticket this week, Utt said, she likes to go to the banquet to eavesdrop.

"To me, it's kind of like really being in Alaska," she said. "It's like you're in a piece of history when you're there."

One year, she sat beside Col. Norman Vaughan's table and listened in as he recounted parts of his Antarctic expedition. Another time, she was near Nenana musher Charlie Boulding, a reknown storyteller.

"I didn't remember what he said, but it was really interesting," she said.

This year, Utt was late getting into the game. She didn't try to get a ticket until a couple weeks ago so she wasn't surprised to learn they were sold out. Of course, there's always next year.

And while Iditarod officials don't have the option of moving to a larger venue, Hooley said they have considered selling tickets for people to sit in the stands.

* Reporter S.J. Komarnitsky can be reached at skomarnitsky@adn.com

Published: 3/5/99