Well, there are people who think that because they had to go through something, everyone should go through it, but I’m of a mind that taking more chances than are necessary is the testosterone talking and you can safely ignore it.

A lot of rookies who didn’t have family and friends walk them though the route before they ran it, like some of those who think it should be left in, have had their races cut short and lost thousands of dollars to the ‘Steps’ when they had to scratch because of injuries or destroyed sleds. There is a better path that reduces the risks. The people who were moving supplies using sled in the old days would have certainly not have used that path if there had been a safe alternative. If they didn’t deliver, they didn’t get paid.

The new path is also safer for the dogs, which can get hit by the sled if the musher is thrown off and can’t brake. That has happened a few times in the recent past.

They still have the descent into the Dalzell Gorge and the Burn to break their sleds and their bodies.

My first thought was that the mushers would be happy to be rid of THAT, but I noticed they seemed to be of two minds about it. I suppose they would have to be high risk takers to do this race, so maybe some will miss it.