The Iron Dog is roaring into Anchorage.
After months of speculation about a move to the big city, the Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday night approved a resolution in support of establishing a ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage beginning with this winter's race. After the Feb. 20 ceremonial start, the 2,031-mile snowmachine race will start for real the next day on Big Lake.
In a press release issued Tuesday, Iron Dog executive director Kevin Kastner said the plan to bring the race to Anchorage has been in the works since 2010.
"With the addition of Anchorage, I believe we are making a great contribution to a refreshed legacy of winter tourism and starting a new chapter for motorsports and snowmachining advocacy," Kastner said.
Kastner said in a phone interview that specifics of the ceremonial start are still being ironed out, but more details will be announced next week.
According to the race website, the event will feature freestyle snowmachine exhibitions Friday night and Saturday in Anchorage to go along with the pro class ceremonial start. The race's safety and tech expo will also be held in Anchorage.
"I really think that Anchorage is going to be pretty excited," Kastner said following passing of the resolution.
Todd Minnick and Nick Olstad won their second title in last winter's race across Alaska, which goes from Big Lake to Nome to Fairbanks. The duo has signed up again for the 2015 race.
In its unanimous resolution, the assembly noted that the ceremonial start is also supported by Visit Anchorage and the Anchorage Downtown Partnership.
The downtown event will kick off the first of three consecutive winter sports weekends in Anchorage. The annual Fur Rondy winter carnival begins Feb. 27, while the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start is scheduled for March 7.