Martin Buser took an early lead in this year’s Iditarod. The past champion was the first into Rainy Pass about 5:42 Monday morning. Nicolas Petit was into Rainy Pass about an hour later.
Those two leaders were followed by Kelly Maixner, Mike Williams, Jr. and last year’s runner-up, Aliy Zirkle. All three were out of Finger Lake early Monday. Last year’s champion, Mitch Seavey, was racing in 16th places and into Finger Lake about 5:27 this morning.
Buser of Big Lake last won the Iditarod in 2002 when he finished the race with the fastest time on record – 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds. Last year, Buser bolted to the front early only to lose in closing days.
