A dog from Seward musher Sarah Stokey's team leaps toward the starting line. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Jessie Royer of Fairbanks waves to spectators as she leaves the 4th Avenue starting line. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Musher Anja Radano was the first musher off the start line Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Dogs from Cindy Abbott's team peek out from their truck compartments. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Jeff King steers into a turn at 4th Avenue and Cordova Street. At left, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski holds on to King's second sled. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Anja Radano of Talkeetna laughs on her way to the starting line. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Victoria Hardwick falls off her runners but manages to keep her sled upright while rounding the corner at 4th Avenue and Cordova Street. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Fairbanks musher Jeff Deeter kicks up a leg as he leans into a turn at 4th Avenue and Cordova Street. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Four-time Iditarod champ Jeff King shows a new sled bag design that allows him to open the main compartment from the rear and fold it forward. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Four-time Iditarod champ Lance Mackey greets a fan. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Willow musher Michi Konno wears a mask before his team leaves the starting line. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Musher Peter Kaiser makes his way down 4th Avenue on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Dogs from Nicolas Petit's team play before their ceremonial start run. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Aliy Zirkle greets her dogs. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
"Pee team" members Andrea Resende, left, and Martha Dobson collect urine from Aliy Zirkle's dog team. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Robert Redington's dogs leave the starting line on 4th Avenue. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Nicolas Petit sits with his dogs while Kathy Cappa joins him for a photo. Cappa served as sign language interpreter at the ceremonial start. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
A rider on Ryan Redington's second sled falls off as they team rounds the corner at 4th Avenue and Cordova Street. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Linwood Fiedler heads down Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod. (Photo by Bob Hallinen)
Matt Hall mushes down 4th Avenue during the Iditarod ceremonial start, March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Musher Shaynee Traska mushes down 4th Avenue on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Cindy Abbott mushes down 4th Avenue during the Iditarod ceremonial start, March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Matthew Failor heads down on Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod. (Photo by Bob Hallinen)
Rookie musher Jessica Klejka steers around a corner at 4th Avenue and Cordova Street. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Musher Aliy Zirkle, of Two Rivers, leans into a turn at 4th Avenue and Cordova Street. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Kristin Bacon of Big Lake smiles after leaving the starting line. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Defending champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom mushes over Chester Creek on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Marcelle Fressineau leans into a turn at Cordova Street and 4th Avenue. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Jessie Holmes of Nenana waves to spectators. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Rookie musher Blair Braverman leaves the starting line on 4th Avenue. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Joar Leifseth Ulsom's dog harnesses have some fur lining. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Iditarod musher Kristy Berington crests the Cordova Hill during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Richie Diehl gets a high five along Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
4-time champion Martin Buser makes his way down the Cordova St. hill on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Rookie musher Blair Braverman leaves the starting line on 4th Avenue. Fifty-two mushers and dog teams ran across Anchorage for the ceremonial start of Iditarod 2019 on March 2, 2019. (Marc Lester / ADN)
Musher Matt Hall and his team make their way down 4th Avenue on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Martin Apayauq Reitan mushes through Far North Bicentennial Park on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Golden Jefferies waits for snacks from his dad Alex Jefferies at the bottom of Cordova Hill during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Musher Charley Bejna makes his way past the Alaska Native Medical Center on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Aaron Burmeister mushes through Far North Bicentennial Park on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Iditarod musher Marcelle Fressineau reaches out fo a high five along Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Musher Marcelle Fressineau makes her way past Mulcahy Stadium on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Iditarod musher Blair Braverman reaches out for high fives along Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Niklas Wikstrand gets high fives at the bottom of Cordova Hill during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Paige Drobny mushes through Far North Bicentennial Park on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Aaron Burmeister mushes through Far North Bicentennial Park on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski drives the second sled for Iditarod musher Jeff King during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race along Cordova Street in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Musher Jeff Deeter makes his way past Mulcahy Stadium on Saturday, March 2, 2019 during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (Loren Holmes / ADN)
Iditarod musher Ryan Redington crests Cordova Hill during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Kristin Bacon is passed by Peter Kaiser on Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Jeremy Keller and his team pass a fire hydrant near Mulcahy Stadium during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Lance Mackey gets high fives at the bottom of Cordova Hill during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
2018 Iditarod champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom tosses a stuffed sled dog to a fan near Mulcahy Stadium during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Shaynee Traska drives her team down Cordova Street during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Mitch Seavey drives his dog team through Bootie Alley at the bottom of Cordova Hill during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle gets high fives during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race along Cordova Street in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Bob Hallinen photo)
Cindy Gallea drives her team along the Chester Creek Trail during the ceremonial start of the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, AK on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Gallea was the last musher to start the race. (Bob Hallinen photo)
With the finish line in Nome nearly a thousand miles and several days away, 52 sled dog teams put on a show for fans Saturday at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
A mob of spectators and several hundred dogs filled downtown Anchorage, where snow was spread on streets overnight to provide a slippery surface for sleds to glide on.
Mushers chilled with dogs and fans as they waited their turn to leave Fourth Avenue in two-minute intervals for the race’s ceremonial start -- an 11-mile tour of the city via streets and trails.
The race clock doesn’t start ticking until Sunday’s 2 p.m. restart, when teams hit the trail at Willow Lake north of Anchorage.
The Iditarod is smaller this year, in terms of both mushers and dogs. The field of 52 is the smallest since 1989, when 49 mushers started, and a new rule trimmed the maximum size of teams from 16 dogs to 14.
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Anja Radano, a Talkeetna woman who finished second-to-last in her rookie run last year, was the first musher to leave Saturday and will be the first to leave Sunday. Last to leave was Cindy Gallea, a 12-time finisher from Minnesota. The start order was determined during a Thursday night bib draw.
Radano and Gallea bookended a field that includes 17 women. No Iditarod has had a higher percentage of women (33.7) and only four races have had more. A record 26 women started in 2016.
A record-low 10 rookies are in the race. So are five champions, including reigning champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom of Norway. Also back are four-time champions Martin Buser, Jeff King and Lance Mackey and three-time champion Mitch Seavey.
Conditions look good through the Alaska Range and on the Yukon River, both of which have plenty of snow. A lack of ice on the Bering Sea will keep teams inland when the race hits the coast, race marshal Mark Nordman said earlier in the week.
Teams are following the southern route this year, meaning they will pass through Iditarod, an abandoned gold-mining town and the namesake of the historic Iditarod Trail, which originally stretched from Seward to Nome.
The checkpoint at Iditarod marks the race’s halfway point, and the first musher to arrive there will receive $3,000 in gold.
A bigger prize – an estimated $50,000 and a new pickup truck – awaits at the end of the trail in Nome. Expect to see the winning team cross under the burled arch that marks the finish line on Tuesday or Wednesday, March 12-13.
Beth Bragg wrote about sports and other topics for the ADN for more than 35 years, much of it as sports editor. She retired in October 2021. She's contributing coverage of Alaskans involved in the 2022 Winter Olympics.