54th Iditarod Kicks Off with Top Mushers Competing

Defending champion Jessie Holmes and other top contenders begin the thousand-mile race across Alaska

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The 54th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially began on Sunday, March 8, 2026, as mushers departed from Willow Lake for the thousand-mile trek to Nome. The field includes 37 teams, including four previous champions, 14 rookies, and three mushers in the inaugural Expedition Class. Defending champion Jessie Holmes is the favorite, but faces stiff competition from past top finishers like Pete Kaiser and Paige Drobny, as well as rookie contenders like Adam Lindenmuth and Kevin Hansen.

Why it matters

The Iditarod is one of Alaska's most iconic sporting events, drawing global attention to the state's rich mushing culture and tradition. This year's race features a mix of veteran champions and promising newcomers, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable competition across the challenging Alaskan terrain.

The details

Rookie musher Adam Lindenmuth of Willow was the first to depart the starting line, followed by a steady flow of teams over the course of the afternoon. Bethel's Pete Kaiser, the 2019 Iditarod champion, is running a team of seasoned veterans mixed with younger dogs, while Brushkana's Jessie Holmes, the defending champion, says he is in "great shape" and aiming to repeat. Other top contenders include Paige Drobny of Cantwell, who finished third last year, and Wade Marrs of Willow, who has been working with three-time champion Mitch Seavey to develop his strategy.

  • The ceremonial start took place in Anchorage on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
  • The official restart from Willow Lake began around 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
  • A winner is expected to reach the finish line in Nome early next week.

The players

Jessie Holmes

The defending Iditarod champion from Brushkana, Alaska, who says he is "absolutely" aiming to win again this year.

Pete Kaiser

The 2019 Iditarod champion from Bethel, Alaska, who is running a team of mostly veteran dogs with a few younger rookies mixed in.

Paige Drobny

A musher from Cantwell, Alaska, who finished third in last year's Iditarod and is running to win this year, though she says she focuses on sticking to her own race plan.

Wade Marrs

A musher from Willow, Alaska, who has been working with three-time Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey to develop his strategy for this year's race.

Adam Lindenmuth

A rookie musher from Willow, Alaska, who drew the first starting position and was the first to depart the starting line on Sunday.

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What they’re saying

“The first time doesn't matter as much to me as trying to follow this up with a second win.”

— Jessie Holmes (ADN)

“I just run a plan, and wherever that puts me is where it puts me. I don't strategically try to be at the front or the back or the middle.”

— Paige Drobny (ADN)

“I lost 51 pounds in the last few months. I had to get to jockey weight. These Seavey dogs are used to pulling Mitch … I had to dial it back.”

— Wade Marrs (ADN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This year's Iditarod features a mix of veteran champions and promising newcomers, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable race across the challenging Alaskan terrain as the world's attention turns to this iconic sporting event.