Smaller field ready to kick off Iditarod

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The world’s foremost sled dog race kicks off its 47th running this weekend as participants strive to push past a punishing two years for the sport’s image.

Some of the drama has been resolved for Alaska’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. In December, race organizers cleared four-time winner Dallas Seavey of any wrongdoing in a 2017 dog-doping scandal. New members also have been appointed to the Iditarod’s governing board following musher discontent over perceived conflicts.

But animal activists are turning up the heat over multiple dog deaths in the history of the 1,000-mile race, which spans mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River and dangerous sea ice along the Bering Sea coast, with village checkpoints staged across the trail. Big-name sponsors continue to drop their support, and have been replaced by smaller, Alaska-based backers. And organizers still grapple with budget strains manifested in a purse far below the prizes offered in the recent past.

The expected top prize is $50,000, the same amount as last year, but more than $20,000 below the 2017 prize. The total purse is again $500,000 — about $250,000 below the 2017 purse. The prize money comes from sponsors and other sources, including fundraisers, special promotions and the Iditarod Insider, an online subscription publication that provides race coverage.

The Iditarod has survived similar pressures, said Chas St. George, acting CEO of the Iditarod Trail Committee.

In December, Hooley said he was leaving after 25 years with the Iditarod to take on a new opportunity outside the state, but added he was not at liberty to say what it was. He said his departure had nothing to do with the Iditarod coming off a difficult time.

Earlier pressure from activists led to the sport addressing “past imperfections,” said four-time champion Jeff King.

“The last couple years have been very trying for many,” he said. “But in the end, I think there will be good that comes out of it.”

The Iditarod begins today with a short ceremonial run in Anchorage, the state’s largest city. The real race to the old Gold Rush town of Nome starts Sunday in Willow, about 50 miles to the north.

The 52-team field — the smallest in more than two decades — includes defending champion Joar Ulsom of Norway, along with King and two other four-time winners and a three-time champion.