More checkpoint strategy and race management than actual lead teams on the course on Wednesday morning as the 49th running of the Iditarod enters its fourth day and the lead teams have logged over 300 miles and are managing mandatory layovers and jockeying for position.
Dallas Seavey mushed 14 dogs into McGrath on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m., becoming the first team to reach the McGrath checkpoint and Seavey chose to begin his mandatory 24-hour layover.
The leader in distance, as of 6:00 a.m. Wednesday is Brent Sass. Sass reached the Ophir checkpoint and stayed just 11 minutes. Ryan Redington and Aaron Burmeister have both reached Ophir and have both completed an 8-hour mandatory layover. Many teams in the top ten are currently taking their 24-hour layover in McGrath.
