The lead is changing and the field is mixing as people make it over the Alaskan Range.

Scott Janssen (3), the Mushing Mortician, scratched at Rainy Pass. The heat got to his team, with one dog falling and four more dehydrated, Scott pulled out. There is too much trail left to try it with 11 dogs, and the dog passing out from the heat shook him up. It is difficult for people to understand that these dogs don’t run well above 20°F. Heat is a big problem for them because they are cold weather experts. They have evolved to retain heat so they can function in the bitter cold, and they generate a lot of heat when they are running.

Martin Buser probably set a record for his run from Willow to Rohn, but he is staying at Rohn to recover. Matt Failor, running Martin’s second team, was also quick considering that he started 2 hours after Martin. His kennel definitely has depth in fast dogs, but that speed takes a toll on dogs, mushers, and equipment.

Update: Martin has decided to take his 24-hour stop at Rohn, which will make a lot of people nervous when they find out. He and the team can certainly use the rest, but it is a long way to Nome.

Beyond McGrath
1 Aaron Burmeister (24)
Beyond Nikolai
2 Aliy Zirkle (27)
3 Mitch Seavey (36)
4 Lance Mackey (5)
5 Paul Gebhardt (11)
6 Jake Berkowitz (44)
7 DeeDee Jonrowe (28)
8 Jessie Royer (30)
9 Michelle Phillips (7)
10 Peter Kaiser (10)
11 Sonny Lindner (67)
12 Ray Redington Jr (52)
13 Dallas Seavey (19)
14 Ken Anderson (6)
15 Joar Leifseth Ulson (32)^R
16 Justin Savidis (34)
17 John Baker (13) [Read more →]