John Baker finished in first place in the 2011 Iditarod. The Kotzebue Musher arrived in Nome on March 15 at 9:46 am. He completed the 1100 mile race in 8 Days 18 Hours 46 Minutes.

John Baker now holds the record for the fastest Iditarod Finish, breaking Martin Buser's previous record standing since 2002 by 4 hours.

Ramey Smyth crossed the finished line an hour later.

Canadian Musher Hans Gatt took the 3rd place in the 2011 Iditarod. Hans has had a solid performance over the past 4 Iditarod races during which he finished in the top 10.

Dallas Seavey finished in 4th place.

The Ceremonial race start takes place at 10:00 am on 4th Avenue, Downtown Anchorage. Our Go2Moon Photographers are on location and are providing coverage of the events. This year, 62 teams participate in the Last Great Race on Earth. Several Iditarod icons are among the favorites including Lance Mackey, DeeDee Jonrowe, Sebastien Schnuelle and Martin Buser.

Aliy Zirkle

Newton Marshall

Lance Mackey, energized by his 2010 Iditarod win, is coveting a 5th consecutive victory.

Lance Mackey

Dallas Seavey

This section is dedicated to the real Heroes without which the Iditarod would not be possible: the dog teams. Here are pictures of true Iditarod dogs in action.

Sebastian Schnuelle

Trent Herbst

Sebastian Schnuelle (from Whitehorse, Canada) and Trent Herbst (from Idaho) with their recognizable features.

One of the reasons for the Ceremonial start is to allow fans and the general public to see the Mushers and their dog teams up close in action. The actual Iditarod race start occurs in Willow on March 6th.

Iditarod behind the scenes: 2 hours before the start of the race, Mushers attends to their dog teams or try to relax...

Zoya DeNure

Veteran Musher Mitch Seavy (far left) and Kirk Barnum (left) out of Willow and on their way to the Yentna check point.

Right: Musher Kelley Griffin closely followed by Dallas Seavey.

Far right: Martin Buser and his dog team.

Aliy Zirkle (bib number 18) seen outside of Willow.

Newton Marshall enjoying a beer (left).

March 8th, 2011: Jessica Hendricks (far left) scratched in Nikolai after assessing her dog team.

March 9th, 2011: Bob Storey (left), the 65 year old New Zealand Musher scratched at Rainy Pass due to the condition of his dog team.

March 8th, 2011: Melissa Owens (right) scratched at Rainy Pass due to a leg injury.

Zoya DeNure (far right) also scratched at Rainy Pass after one of her dogs showed sign of lethargy.

Paul Gebhardt (above) scratched in Nikolai with 14 dog on his team.

Lance Mackey just made history by winning the 2010 Iditarod and being the only Musher to ever win four consecutive Iditarod races. After enduring a thousand miles of icy trails, he crossed the finish line on March 16th, with 11 of his 16 dog team, in just under 9 days (8 days, 23 hours and 59 minutes).

Canadian Musher Hans Gatt took second place behind Mackey, his best Iditarod finish. Earlier in the year, Hans had won the 2010 Yukon Quest, beating rival Lance Mackey in another tight race.

Link to 2010 MUSHER PAGES >

A total of 71 teams participate in the 2010 Iditarod, up from 67 teams in 2009. Jeff King, Lance Mackey, Sebastian Schnuelle, the Redingtons, and Deedee Jonrowe are among the usual favorites, but we also have the pleasure to send our best wishes to several rookies.

Newton Marshall, energized from his 13th place finish in the 2009 Yukon Quest, wanted a taste of the Last Great Race on Earth. But this Iditarod Rookie is not your typical Musher: he is from Jamaica.

Rookie Pat Moon, from Illinois, also joined the 2010 Iditarod. He left the bustling city of Chicago to conquer the frozen expanses of Alaska.

Link to 2010 MUSHER PAGES >

Karen Ramstead