Wasilla, Alaska - The Iditarod Trail Committee announced changes today to both the start and restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. For the foreseeable future, the Saturday start of the race will, as usual, begin at the corner 4th Avenue and D Street in downtown Anchorage, but will end some 11 miles from the starting line. Additionally, Sunday’s restart will take place in Willow and will be staged on Willow Lake.

Iditarod Trail Committee Executive Director, Stan Hooley, cited the effects of development on traditional trails as well as less than acceptable weather and trail conditions for both decisions, “While economic growth is important to all of us, there is no question that the many roads, driveways and bike paths don’t make for good or safe racing conditions. And I think we all know that while winter has a way of coming and going a few times each year in Wasilla, it’s consistently winter a few miles north in Willow.”

Hooley went on to say that, “There has been a very long Iditarod tradition involved in the Eagle River, Wasilla, and Knik Checkpoints. Those traditions have been at the core of the ITC’s reluctance to make this decision sooner. However, we must, to the very best of our ability, acknowledge our responsibility to ensure the competitive integrity of this race. Simply stated, this means that staging these two important events on the trails considered to be the best for both the two and four legged athletes is priority number one.”

For more information on The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, please contact Chas St. George, Director of Public Relations, at 907.232.0503.