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Veteran leads Iditarod as mushers jockey for lead

In this image taken Tuesday, March 7, 2017, and provided by the Iditarod Trail Committee, the sun sets as veteran musher Nicolas Petit makes his way into Tanana, Alaska, the third checkpoint of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (MIKE Kenney / Iditarod Trail Committee via AP)
Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Mushers are jockeying for the early lead in the world’s most famous sled dog race.

Wade Marrs, a 26-year-old veteran who had his highest finish at fourth last year, was the first to leave the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race checkpoint in Tanana on Wednesday.

He departed just ahead of four-time champion Dallas Seavey and Pete Kaiser.

Rounding out the top five are two-time winner Mitch Seavey and Nicolas Petit, a native of France who lives just south of Anchorage.

Petit was feted Tuesday for being the first musher to reach Tanana and the Yukon River. A chef flown in from Anchorage prepared a five-course meal, featuring cioppino and roast duck, served with champagne.

The winner of the nearly 1,000-mile race across Alaska is expected in Nome early next week.