Iditarod Mushers are on their way to the first layover checkpoint in Skwentna.

Mushers and their dogs gathered today in Deshka Landing for the 49th annual Iditarod sled dog race. Teams began their staggered start at 2:00 this afternoon with the last musher leaving Deshka at 3:32 PM.

Listen to the full Iditarod update here.

Image at Top: Iditarod musher comes down the race chute at the 2020 race restart in Willow. This year’s 2021 Iditarod race started from Deshka Landing just outside Willow. Photo from KNOM’s Davis Hovey, 2020.