Mushers pumped their fists and high-fived fans Monday as they set out one-by-one on the world's most famous sled dog race, a nearly 1,600-kilometre trek through the grueling Alaska wilderness. The grandson of a co-founder of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race was the first competitor on the trail in Fairbanks, in the heart of the state. A member of Allen Moore's dog team can't contain his excitement at the start of the race. He then slapped hands with fans as his dog team went through the chute. During the 2016 Iditarod, Zirkle and another musher, Jeff King, were attacked by a drunk snowmachiner.

Source: CBC News March 07, 2017 18:33 UTC