Sleds Head For Forest

The 58 racers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headed out into the wilderness following the race’s official start a day after the ceremonial start in Anchorage.

Nineteen handlers kept initial starter Bill Cotter’s 16 dogs in check while they were escorted to the starting line.

By the time the mushers reached the Knik checkpoint, Cotter was still in the lead and a few of the mushers behind him had rearranged themselves a bit.