1,100-miles...that's the distance of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race which officially begins today.
The 38th running...that's how long the grueling endurance race of man/women/dog has been contested.
71...that's the number of teams competing this year.
Anchorage's Fourth Avenue...that's were the race starts.
Nome, Alaska...that's where the race ends.
16-dogs...that's the typical number of eager and barking dogs that make up a team.
Fourth consecutive win...that's what Lance Mackey is going for this year as the race favorite.
"I won't be disappointed if I come in third or 23rd, as long as my team looks happy and healthy doing it," Mackey said. "If I get to Nome and I question 'Well, what if I had done this, or what if I had done that,' then I'd be disappointed," he added
Drugs and Alcohol...that's what mushed will be randomly tested for this year for the first time ever somewhere on the course and finally...
Newton Marshall...that's the name of the ever first ever 26-year-old Jamaican to compete in the Iditarod.
According to the AP:
"The total purse this year is $590,000 — down from a high of $925,000 in 2008 — with $50,000 of this year's prize money donated by four-time champion Jeff King, who also is in the running. The winner's take is $50,000, compared with the $69,000 of past years."
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Check out the video below as the race get's under way:
