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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Iditarod Leaders Bunched

Compiled From Wire Services

Three former Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champions and a perennial contender, nearly dead-even, turned their dog teams and prepared for the 269-mile journey around Norton Sound to the finish.

“This is going to be a good race. It’s not going to be one that anyone’s going to walk away,” said Jeff King, who won the 1,151-mile race in 1993.

Dee Dee Jonrowe hit the trail for the 40-mile run from Unalakleet to Shaktoolik at 4:44 p.m. local time. She was followed by defending champ Doug Swingley of Simms, Mont., 2 minutes later. Two-time winner Martin Buser and King left at 4:52.

King reached the Bering Sea first at 9:38 a.m. xxxx