This year’s 1,128-mile sled-dog race follows a novel route through Interior Alaska with a loop on the Yukon River. “We are all rookies,” Big Lake musher Nicolas Petit joked.

A last-minute plan to change the route went off without a hitch despite significant changes to the original trail.

Matthew Failor harnessed his 16-dog team Monday night and raced away into the darkness from the village of Nenana, population 363. To the Mansfield native, it finally felt like he was on the 2025 Iditarod trail,

Editor’s note: This story will be updated as the mushers advance in the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Check back for more details. Thirty-three mushers and dog teams set off from Fairbanks to Nome on Monday, March 3, in the 53rd Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This year’s race is unique in many ways. Here are some highlights.

Rookie Emily Ford said her dog team cannot wait to get into some snow. “I think they're gonna be so stoked and be like — finally.”