Staring 41st at the Sunday afternoon official Iditarod start, Backen passed 40 teams to assume the lead. Behind 16 dogs, he made the 45-mile trip from Skwentna to Finger lake in just under five hours.

No other musher had arrived in Finger Lake early Monday morning, although a pack was enroute. Forty-six racers had left Skwentna by 5 a.m., led by Yukon Quest veteran Gerry Willomitzer of Whitehorse, Yukon, at 9:25 p.m. Sunday and four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King of Denali Park at 9:39 p.m.

Willow's Ramey Smyth, another musher showing early speed, was fourth. Smyth was the 48th racer out of Willow on Sunday.

Former Yukon Quest champion Aliy Zirk was fifh, out of Skwentna just before midnight.

So far, only G.B. Jones of Willow has scratched. He did so after Saturday's ceremonial start through Anchorage.

However, two mushers at the back of the pack -- Trent Herbst of Homer and Kim Franklin of England -- were not yet reported out of the Yentna checkpoint just a few miles into the race.

Defending champion Lance Mackey, among the leaders into Skwenta early Sunday night, was still there Monday morning and in 48th place.

"People might expect me to do well here," the 37-year-old throat cancer survivor said Sunday as well-wishers flocked around him on the frozen Willow Lake just before the clock started ticking on the run to Nome. "As far at that goes, there is nobody putting pressure on me except for me," .

Mushers are chasing after a $875,000 purse to be paid out among the top 30 finishers.