Rodney Whaley, a veteran of 24 years in the Tennessee National Guard, is one of only 102 people in the world to qualify for the 1,159-mile race.
Canadian musher Sebastian Schnuelle has taken an early lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Schnuelle was the first out of the Finger Lake checkpoint,
departing at 6:13 a.m. Monday. He won the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest
International Sled Dog Race less than two weeks ago.
Second out of Finger Lake was Paul Gebhardt of Kasilof. He left
at 6:52 a.m.
Earlier, musher Ramey Smyth of Willow had taken the initial
lead, being the first out of the Skwentna checkpoint.
The 1,100-mile race to Nome is in its second day, starting in
Willow on Sunday. The ceremonial start was Saturday in Anchorage.
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