The Iditarod stretches 1,049 miles across rugged and unforgiving Alaska terrain. It is one of the most iconic races in the world!
The photos in this album were taken at the race's ceremonial start in downtown, Anchorage as well as its official start in Willow.
- Jeffrey Rivet / KTUU Channel 2 News (2016)
A sled-dog team runs along a snowy trail beside trees and spectators at the Iditarod.
A musher wearing bib 2 waves while a passenger rides in the sled.
A musher wearing bib 3 waves behind a dog team on the downtown course.
A musher wearing a cap and flower garland stands behind the sled.
A musher in a purple hat guides a team through downtown Anchorage.
A musher in red follows a dog team along the snowy street.
A smiling musher wearing bib 8 raises an arm beside a flag.
A musher wearing bib 9 rides behind a team of dark-coated dogs.
A dog team passes along the downtown course with the musher behind.
A musher wearing bib 12 stands behind a yellow sled bag.
A team of pale sled dogs approaches between snowbanks.
A musher in dark clothing follows a long team through the city.
A passenger rides in a sled as the musher follows behind on the snowy street.
A musher wearing bib 17 and a green jacket smiles during the start.
A dog team approaches along the downtown snow corridor.
A team of sled dogs runs past spectators gathered beside a snowbank.
A musher wearing bib 20 stands behind the sled.
Side view of a long dog team moving along the city course.
A dog team stretches across the frame beside a spectator barrier.
A musher wearing bib 23 follows the dogs down the snowy street.
A smiling musher wearing bib 23 and a blue bandanna faces the crowd.
A musher wearing bib 24 guides a sled carrying a passenger.
Portrait of a smiling musher wearing bib 25 and a striped knit hat.
A musher in red follows a dog team past downtown spectators.
A team moves along the snowy course beneath colorful downtown flags.
A musher wearing bib 27 looks upward during the start.
A sled-dog team passes beside a green-roofed building.
A musher guides a sled carrying a passenger in a bright green jacket.
A musher wearing bib 30 rides behind a passenger on the city course.
A musher wearing bib 31 follows a seated passenger along the snow.
A long dog team passes a crowd of downtown spectators.
A musher wearing bib 33 looks ahead while guiding the sled.
A musher wearing bib 34 and a bright orange coat raises a gloved hand.
A musher guides a sled with a passenger past the course barrier.
Portrait of a musher wearing bib 36 on the snowy street.
A musher wearing bib 37 and a blue jacket follows a seated passenger.
A musher rides behind a passenger in red as the dogs pull forward.
A musher raises a hand while passing spectators with a passenger aboard.
A musher wearing bib 40 guides a sled down the course.
A musher wearing bib 41 and sunglasses waves to the crowd.
A smiling musher wearing bib 42 and an orange coat looks toward spectators.
A musher wearing bib 43 raises an arm behind a passenger in bright winter clothing.
A musher wearing bib 44 guides a sled carrying a passenger.
A musher and passenger in bright pink clothing pass along the course.
A musher wearing bib 46 follows a team of sled dogs.
A musher wearing bib 47 and a red knit hat looks ahead.
A musher in a red hat follows a passenger in a green jacket.
A musher wearing bib 49 and a blue jacket guides the team forward.
A musher wearing bib 50 stretches an arm toward spectators.
A musher follows a passenger in red who holds up a phone.
Portrait of a musher wearing bib 52 and a blue parka.
A musher wearing bib 53 rides behind a passenger in blue.
A dog team approaches through the snow with a musher in red behind.
A musher wearing bib 55 and a flower garland looks toward the crowd.
A dog team passes beneath flags along the downtown route.
A musher wearing bib 57 follows a passenger in a yellow hat.
A smiling musher in dark winter clothing rides behind a seated passenger.
A musher wearing bib 59 looks toward spectators during the start.
A sled-dog team moves through a downtown intersection lined with people.
A musher wearing bib 61 follows a passenger in a red coat.
A musher reaches toward a spectator while the dogs pull past a snowbank.
A team runs along a snowy section of the route beside people and trees.
A musher rides behind a passenger with a fur-trimmed hood.
A musher waves as the dog team travels down the course.
Elevated view of a sled team and pedestrians on a snowy city street.
Overhead view of several dog teams and people spread along the route.
A musher wearing bib 67 and a blue jacket moves through the starting area.
High-angle view of teams and spectators on the snow-covered street.
A musher wearing bib 68 and orange outerwear looks down toward the sled.
A musher wearing bib 69 guides a sled through the crowd-lined course.
A musher wearing bib 70 and yellow goggles gestures with both hands.
A musher wearing bib 71 and a red hat smiles during the start.
A sled team travels away along a snowy route lined with spectators.
A smiling musher wearing bib 72 and a red hood looks toward the crowd.
A musher in a green coat and blue hood rides behind a passenger.
A musher wearing bib 74 smiles while guiding the sled.
A musher reaches out to exchange a greeting with a spectator.
A smiling musher wearing bib 75 and blue outerwear passes the crowd.
A musher wearing bib 76 raises an arm during the start.
A musher wearing a pale fur-trimmed hat follows a bundled passenger.
A musher wearing bib 78 and red sleeves follows dogs beside a fence.
A dog team runs along a narrow snowy trail beside a tall fence.
A musher wearing bib 80 rides behind a dark sled bag.
A musher in dark clothing follows a team along the fenced trail.
A musher in a blue coat and dark hat stands near the starting area.
A musher wearing bib 83 rides behind a passenger in a bright green hat.
A musher wearing bib 84 raises an arm while passing the crowd.
A dog team approaches along the course beside a green fence.
A musher wearing bib 85 and a fur hat follows a passenger.
A team of sled dogs wearing blue coverings runs toward the camera.
Wide view of a dog team moving through a downtown intersection.
A musher follows a team of black-and-white dogs along the city route.
Close view of pale lead dogs running through soft snow.
A gray-and-white lead dog runs toward the camera with its mouth open.
A dog team rounds a snowbank beside spectators and downtown buildings.
A team in yellow harnesses runs toward the camera in bright sunlight.
A musher follows gray sled dogs along the sunlit course.
A compact team of dark-coated dogs runs between snowbanks.
Dogs wearing blue coverings run side by side in harness.
Close action view of dark sled dogs pulling together.
A pale dog leads a team past a bright snowbank.
A team of gray and brown dogs approaches along the downtown trail.
A line of brown and gray sled dogs runs toward the camera in bright red booties.
Dogs in blue coverings pull together along the packed snowy course.
Dark-coated sled dogs race past in matching red booties.
A dog team stretches across the downtown course beside spectators and storefronts.
Two lead dogs run side by side in bright green booties.
A dark-coated team follows its towline through the snow.
Black and white lead dogs run together along the race route.
Two dark lead dogs pull ahead of their teammates on the snowy trail.
Brown and cream lead dogs wear colorful coverings and red booties.
Sled dogs in yellow harnesses run toward the camera.
A long line of dogs follows the packed track through the snow.
A tan sled dog runs beside its teammates in bright green booties.
Pale lead dogs approach with their mouths open as they run.
A brown lead dog sets the pace for the team behind it.
A dog team forms a long line along the snow-covered race course.
A team in pink booties runs ahead of its sled on the downtown course.
Black and gray sled dogs pull together through the snow.
Tan and gray lead dogs approach side by side.
A musher follows a full team along the spectator-lined route.
Dogs in red coverings and yellow booties race toward the camera.
White lead dogs run ahead of their teammates in red harnesses.
Dark lead dogs pull a team along the packed snow.
A black sled dog runs between pale-coated teammates.
White lead dogs wear contrasting purple and green booties.
A team races forward in brightly colored protective booties.
A musher guides a dog team along a wooded section of the course.
A musher in blue follows the team past spectators.
A dog team runs toward the camera along a raised strip of snow.
A musher in red follows dark lead dogs through the starting area.
Mushers and dog teams gather along the snowy race route.
Lead dogs pull forward with their team filling the snowy lane behind them.
A musher in purple guides a team beside a tall roadside fence.
A musher in red follows dark lead dogs through churned snow.
A dog team approaches along the narrow fenced race corridor.
Tan lead dogs run together beside the course barrier.
Black and white sled dogs travel along the snowy track.
A team advances through deep, uneven snow near spectators.
A musher follows a compact team down the snowy corridor.
Musher number 52 sits behind the team in a blue winter jacket.
A musher in bright green approaches along a sunlit forest trail.
A dog team follows a winding track between snow-covered trees.
A musher rides behind the team on the wooded course.
Musher number 9 wears a black hat and dark winter clothing.
Several sled dogs run together along the sunlit snow trail.
Dark lead dogs follow the packed track through the woods.
Musher number 10 rides the snowy trail in a dark hooded jacket.
A sled dog team approaches through a corridor of bare trees.
Lead dogs crest a small rise on the packed forest trail.
Musher number 11 follows the team beneath a clear blue sky.
A long dog team rounds a bend between high snowbanks.
Musher number 12 wears a bright green jacket and a wide-brimmed hat.
A dog team stretches across the sunlit woodland course.
Musher number 13 wears a red hat and red winter jacket.
Lead dogs in red booties approach spectators beside the trail.
A musher and sled follow the team through the trees.
Pale and dark sled dogs pull together across uneven snow.
Musher number 15 rides behind the team on the forest course.
Musher number 16 leans forward while traveling along the trail.
A musher in orange and green follows the team through the woods.
Two lead dogs run side by side in brightly colored harnesses.
A musher in red guides a red sled past snow-covered trees.
Two gray lead dogs run toward the camera along the woodland trail.
A musher in an olive-green coat and blue sunglasses follows the team.
A musher and sled emerge from the shaded forest.
A dog team descends a snowy trail between evergreen trees.
Musher number 23 wears blue sunglasses and a fur-trimmed coat.
A team crosses an open snowy area with spectators in the distance.
A green sled follows the dog team past people beside the course.
Musher number 26 guides a loaded sled across the snow.
A dog team passes spectators along an open section of trail.
A musher in red winter clothing rides behind a loaded sled.
A long team runs across the snowy clearing in profile.
Sled dogs pull in pairs across an open snowfield.
A musher follows a blue sled under a clear sky.
A full dog team stretches across the snow ahead of its musher.
A musher guides a sled with a yellow cover across the open course.
A dog team runs past in profile with its musher behind.
Lead dogs follow a curving track across the snowfield.
A musher and dark-coated team approach across the clearing.
Spectators wave and cheer beside the snowy race trail.
Pale sled dogs run past a group of bundled-up spectators.
A close side view shows a musher riding behind a loaded sled.
Musher number 40 wears a red jacket beside the sled.
A dog team approaches with a blue-clad musher behind it.
A distant team crosses a broad snowfield below a line of evergreens.
Sled dogs form a long line across the open winter landscape.
A team travels across the snow in front of bare woodland.
A musher follows the team along a track cut through the snow.
Dogs run in pairs across the sunlit clearing.
A side view captures the team pulling across an open snowy course.
A long dog team pulls a green sled around the snowy course.
Musher number 52 rides behind the team in blue winter clothing.
A small yellow aircraft sits on the snow beneath a clear blue sky.
An orange off-road utility vehicle travels across the snow.
Musher number 55 wears a red jacket on the race course.
A musher follows a team across the snow near the tree line.
A sled dog team passes people and equipment beside the course.
A musher guides a blue sled across the open clearing.
Musher number 59 rides behind a blue sled on the snowy course.
A green sled follows its team across the sunlit snow.
A musher raises an arm while riding behind the sled.
A team enters a narrow trail between tall trees and spectators.
A musher travels through a wooded corridor lined with orange safety fencing.
Dog teams follow the snowy course between orange safety barriers.
A close portrait shows a musher wearing a yellow hat and sunglasses.
A dog team follows the fenced course past a crowd of spectators.
Musher number 72 walks through the snowy staging area.
A sled dog looks upward beside a parked vehicle.
A white and gray dog looks toward the camera near the staging area.
People exchange an item beside a vehicle at the race venue.
Colorful directional signs point toward destinations on a tall signpost.
A person reaches up to a dog leaning from a transport compartment.
A person lifts a dark-coated dog beside a transport vehicle.
A tan and gray sled dog stands tethered near equipment.
A close view captures a sled dog with upright ears and an open mouth.
A person in a turquoise knit hat looks across the staging area.
A man in sunglasses stands near a decorated race display.
A man in a dark cap and sunglasses smiles in the crowd.
A close portrait shows a man in sunglasses beside event equipment.
The Alaska state flag waves against a clear blue sky.
Two bundled-up spectators pose together in sunglasses.
A spectator in a bright blue jacket stands near a vehicle.
A man in a dark cap and sunglasses watches the event.
A sled dog peers from an opening in a wooden transport box.
A spectator applauds beside the dog staging area.
Two people wear matching blue patterned headbands and sunglasses.
Two spectators in blue headbands talk beside the course.
Flags fly above the Iditarod sled dog race starting sign.
An announcer speaks into a microphone beside the snowy course.
Participants gather with flags near the race starting area.
Young spectators stand together at the outdoor event.
A close view shows colorful flags beside the assembled crowd.
People gather around a seated participant near the race barriers.
A crowd assembles beneath the Iditarod starting structure.