24-hour Check-up.

 
Just a real quick post as we head into tomorrow morning and the race will start to really heat up!  The original lead pack of the Iditarod so far will emerge early in the morning from their 24-hour layovers and will attempt to catch up with the crew that passed them, and are opting to take the break later on. There are about 15 mushers who passed up Mackey, King, and Backen with the hopes that a longer run would benefit them in the end and would give them the opportunity to get some time on the leaders of the race. 

John Little over at Iditarod.com points out that this is a very similar strategy that Jeff King used in 2006, and he left from Takotna and went straight onto Cripple. Thats a long 94 mile stretch that could lead into late tomorrow night, but with  warmer weather and a trail that has been broken by 15 other mushers before them, it might be pretty feasible, and faster than it was for those who did the “breaking”.

Any guesses on who is going to make it into Ruby first for one of the best prizes on the trail?  If you’re unfamiliar tomorrow I’ll break down what the lucky winner gets, and why its so desirable at this stage in the race….otherwise, take a guess on who will be there first!