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Musher Ryan Redington of Wasilla dropped out of the 2018 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Sunday night in Kaltag, mile 652.
"Redington made the decision to scratch in the best interest of the health and welfare of his race team," said a statement from a race spokeswoman.
Redington had 11 dogs in harness when he scratched at 8:51 p.m. He started the race with 16 dogs.
Redington is the fifth musher to pull out of this year's Iditarod while on the trail. His younger brother, Robert, scratched Saturday morning in Shageluk, mile 486. His older brother, Ray, remains in the race.