The race is on in the Iditarod as the two front runners begin the final 77 miles to Nome. A winner is expected in early tomorrow morning. Lance Mackey left the White Mountain checkpoint at 4:53 this afternoon, and Jeff King will follow him out nearly an hour later at 5:50. The next group of mushers vying for third are more than four hours behind, giving the two leaders a wide berth. Ramey Smith, Ken Anderson, Hans Gatt and Martin Buser are all taking their mandatory 8 hour rests in White Mountain in a tightly packed group. They’ll leave the checkpoint within a half hour of each other at 11:44 tonight.
Libby Casey, KUAC – White Mountain
