The 2019 Iron Dog, billed as the world’s longest, toughest snowmobile race, is underway with 24 teams hitting the trail on Sunday, February 17th from the relocated start at Deshka Landing en route to the halfway point in Nome and the finish line in Fairbanks.
The 2031 mile course runs from the Deshka Landing through Skwentna, Rohn, McGrath, Ruby, Kaltag and the halfway checkpoint in Nome. The teams continue from Nome through Unalakleet, Tanana, Nenana and on to Fairbanks to the finish at Pike’s Landing.
Race Update: Tuesday, February 19 6 a.m.
The lead team of Mike Morgan and Chris Olds reached the Unalakleet checkpoint at 2:52:10 a.m. Tuesday and declared their second 8-hour layover. Team 14 Casey Boylan and Bryan Leslie stand in second ito Unalakleet declaring their layover at 2:55:01 a.m. Ten teams had declared layovers in Unalakleet as of 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The lead teams are expected into the halfway point in Nome on Tuesday and will take a mandatory layover and will be allowed access to machines for maintenance. Every minute spent working on their machines counts toward their course time. In between repairs, rest and recuperation – the Iron Dog staff and volunteers prepare a local community celebration for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to award halfway prizes, including a $10,000 “Gold Rush” cash prize sponsored by Donlin Gold going to the fastest Pro Class team into Nome.
Race Update: Monday, February 18 8 p.m.
The lead team of Mike Morgan and Chris Olds reached the Kaltag checkpoint at 4:51 p.m. Monday and declared their 8-hour layover. The team of Morgan and Olds completed the 727 miles at an average speed of 48 mph. Eight teams declared their layover in Kaltag; four teams are on layover in Galena.
Morgan and Olds won the 2018 Iron Dog in a total trail time of 36:54:49.
Race News
An accident (collision) between Team 8 Tyler Aklestad and Team 16 Todd Minnick on Sunday outside of the McGrath checkpoint left Minnick injured after crashing into Tyler Aklestad on the trail. Minnick was flown to Anchorage for his injuries from the crash, causing his team to scratch from the race.
The team of Tyler Aklestad and Tyson Johnson are back on the Iron Dog trail having made repairs, some of which were completed with parts from Minnick and Olstad–both teams races Ski-Doo. Aklestad and Johnson were the 2016 Iron Dog champions.
Minnick was reported on Monday to be home recovering from a broken leg.
2019 Iron Dog Schedule of Events
February 20: Halfway Ceremonies In Nome
February 23: Finish of Pro Class In Fairbanks (Pike’s Waterfront Lodge)
