The city of Kaltag has changed its checkpoint status to “gas and go” only, which means Iron Dog racers coming through the checkpoint may re-fuel and then leave, according to the Iron Dog Race website. Earlier, a layover was available at this checkpoint on the way to Nome.
“We were advised last night from the city that they are asking us not to have racers layover there,” said race marshal Tim Jauhola. He said racers should not take off their helmets in Kaltag, a village of about 190 people on the West Bank of the Yukon River, 489 miles from the start . It’s likely the village doesn’t want to risk a case of Covid infecting the small Native community, which has limited medical resources.
The Iron Dog is the world’s longest and toughest snow machine race, which covers more than 2,600 miles, starting in Wasilla and turning around in Nome. The expedition class racers, which are the noncompetitive class, started Feb. 17 in Big Lake, and will finish on Feb. 22 in Nome. The pro class started on Feb. 19 at the Menard Center in Wasilla and end on Feb. 26 back in Wasilla.
“Racers are leaving McGrath as we speak,” Jauloa said online. “They are either going to layover this evening in Ruby or Galena, and possibly Unalakleet, if someone decides to push that far.”
The only team to scratch so far is Team 28. The father-son duo of Steven and Sven Gustafson turned around at Puntilla Lake after one of them crashed and hurt his shoulder. They are returning to Wasilla.
