Moore and his 12-dog team made the fastest run from the start line in Chistochina to the Paxson checkpoint, 58 miles away. Moore made the run in 6 hours, 20 minutes. Defending champion Jake Berkowitz had the second fastest run time, 6:27.
Perano reached Paxson at 7:33 p.m. and didn't stop. Hopkins got there at 7:56 p.m. and didn't stop.
Like most mushers, Moore and Berkowitz rested their teams for a couple of hours before beginning the 18-mile run to Meier's Lake Roadhouse. Moore didn't leave until 9 p.m. and Berkowitz didn't give chase until 9:27.
Between them, three other teams also left Paxson -- Sonny Lindner and Ava Lindner at 9:14 p.m. and Aily Zirkle at 9:22.
A field of 53 mushers started the race in frigid temperatures at the Red Eagle Lodge in Chistochina.
As usual, drivers and dogs face brutal temperatures in the annual race. It was minus-20 at Paxson, organizers reported, and minus-23 with wind at Meier's Lake.
The race should end sometime Monday morning at Red Eagle Lodge.
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