The 51st running of the Iditarod is currently facing the smallest field of mushers for “The Last Great Race” since the race’s inception in 1973, with registration closing on November 30th and only 36 mushers signed-up for the 2023 Iditarod race.
The record low total may increase with early entries that are under review by the qualifying review board and with late registration extended until February 11, 2023 with a late fee registration of $8,000.
The lowest number of entries for past Iditarod’s occurred in the inaugural event in 1973 with 34 mushers. The largest field of mushers for an Iditarod race was 96 entries in 2008, with 78 teams completing the 1049 mile race to Nome.
Defending champion Brent Sass and 2019 champion Pete Kaiser are among the mushers entered for 2023. Notably missing for the current list are 5-time champion Dallas Seavey, 3-time champion Mitch Seavey and four-time winners Martin Buser and Jeff King.
The 2023 race schedule includes the 12 Days of the Iditarod event which begins December 12.
The Ceremonial start for the Iditarod is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th at 10 a.m. in downtown Anchorage; with the official race restart set for Sunday, March 5th at 2 p.m. in Willow, Alaska.