A dream come true

ROCKY POINT, Ore. -- For 10 years, Liz Parrish's life revolved around preparing herself and her dogs for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race through the wilds of Alaska.

Scdoris scratches in Koyuk

The third Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was clearly not the charm for Rachael Scdoris, the vision-impaired musher from Oregon.

Kleedehn is rookie of the year

William Kleedehn of Carcross, Yukon, claimed rookie-of-the year honors for his 28th place finish on Thursday.

DAY 14

Nome teen makes it home

Using trail markers as ski poles for the last 70 miles to ease the load for her six dogs remaining in harness, Iditarod rookie Melissa Owens got home Thursday morning just in time for breakfast.

Photos: Owens' run through Nome

Kleedehn is rookie of the year

Updated standings

Buser takes a 130 mph detour

Driving his dogs at a blistering 130 mph into Ruby, Martin Buser on Friday was on pace to break his own race record in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The only problem -- the four-time champion from Big Lake was headed back toward Willow.

Lead dog's ashes spread where he often ran best

UNALAKLEET -- Feeling melancholy from pouring the ashes of his dead lead dog on the Yukon River, Paul Gebhardt dug deep for happiness late Saturday when he watched green northern lights dance in the sky.

Ekran's adventure just starting

GALENA -- Although she's raced hundreds of miles already, Sigrid Ekran's adventure on the back of a dog sled has only begun.

Lanier, 67, surprises Iditarod veterans

RUBY -- Locals gathered Friday afternoon atop a knoll overlooking the frozen Yukon River and waited for the next Iditarod musher to make his or her way into town.

Takotna is a popular place

TAKOTNA -- Frankie Sayer is fresh off her nap, ready to sit inside this warm checkpoint for another long night of holding a clipboard and watching for the glow of headlamps moving down the Takotna River.

Let the banter begin

RUBY -- Four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Jeff King pulled in here Friday acting like he was in charge of the 1,100-mile race from Anchorage to Nome.

Mackey jumps into the lead

As winter snows wilted in the near-40 degree temperature of the Innoko River country on Thursday afternoon, the dog team of Jeff King -- four-time champion of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- eased into the Cripple checkpoint to move into a commanding position in what is shaping up as one of the more topsy-turvy races in years.

Iditarod is no catwalk for rookie DeNure

Zoya DeNure holds a Phillips head screwdriver in Thursday's mid-afternoon sun, thinking it's the right tool to fix her busted-up dog sled, tucked among the log cabins high on the bluffs of the Takotna River.

Woes beset Mackey

TAKOTNA -- A gentle breeze rolled off the northern bank of the Takotna River early Thursday morning as Lance Mackey headed out of this quaint checkpoint tucked in the Kilbuck-Kuskokwim Mountains with a well-rested team that was trying to cope.

Iditarod is no catwalk for rookie DeNure

Mackey jumps into the lead

2008 Iditarod leaderboard

Trail map: Updated standings

Photos: Day 6

Swenson feels he can run with the best of them

MCGRATH -- Racing in soft snow and warm weather for running dogs, Rick Swenson headed down the frozen Kuskokwim River early Wednesday morning, believing that if he was careful enough, he could hang with the leaders of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for the first time in years.

Race leader is anybody's guess

Dodging disaster

McGRATH -- William Kleedehn tossed chunks of frozen lamb to his lead dog Fajita, a fitting scene on this balmy Wednesday afternoon here on the banks of the Kuskokwim River. The timing of this stop is just right for Kleedehn, an Iditarod rookie but a veteran dog driver.

Race leader is anybody's guess

Swenson feels he can run with the best of them

Swenson seeks victory by putting dogs first

Racing in soft snow and dangerously warm temperatures for running dogs, Rick Swenson headed down the frozen Kuskokwim River early this morning, believing that if he was careful, he could hang with the leaders in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for the first time in years.

Gebhardt doesn't wait with the pack

Photos: 2008 Iditarod, March 5

Former rookie of the year scratches

How long is the Iditarod Trail? Depends who you ask

Submit your Iditarod photos

How long is the Iditarod Trail? Depends who you ask

Good morning, Iditarod students. Here is your pop quiz for the day: How many miles is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race?

King, Backen, Mackey pace race

Annual Skwentna invasion won't be the same without the Delias

The door to Joe and Norma Delia's home in Skwentna closed on decades of Iditarod history and many a sweet dream Monday -- quite possibly for the last time.

Slowest mushers look at the bright side

Wet snowflakes fell Monday on a pair of mushers camped on the Skwentna River -- one taking her time, the other frustrated. Ahead, 93 other teams were long gone, making tracks up the trail toward the Alaska Range.

Updated standings

Trail map: Updated standings

Backen takes early Iditarod role as rabbit

Annual Skwentna invasion won't be the same without the Delias

Photos: Day 3

Musher in wheelchair realizes dream trip

For many Alaskans, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is, well, commonplace. It's not that we don't appreciate the hard work it takes to train for and race such a grueling event. And it's not that we don't appreciate all the skill and patience it takes to do one thing so well. No doubt, the feats of the dogs and mushers are celebrated every March. It's just that the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is as much a part of our Alaska lives as northern lights on a clear night or a fresh snowfall on a cold morning.

Redington broke more trails than just Iditarod

Sometimes you have to wonder if the legacy of Joe Redington isn't sold short by his overwhelming association with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Joe Redington Sr.'s 1999 obituary

Redington inspires gallery show