The Longest Stretch of this year’s Iditarod Trail runs 119 miles between the checkpoints of Tanana and Ruby along the mighty Yukon River.
Not necessarily technically challenging, mushers generally find river running to be challenging mentally: struggling to maintain focus across long stretches of wide open and flat terrain. This, combined with the sugary, slow snow and cold temperatures, created a very challenging stretch of trail.
Luckily, situated about halfway down the trail, mushers found an oasis of sorts at the Kokrine Bible Camp. Here, residents offered mushers a roof, a fire to dry out clothes, and even a warm meal.
Mitch Seavey led the mushers into the Ruby checkpoint, the first to complete the 119 mile stretch from Tanana. As an award, he received the “Pen Air Spirit of Alaska” award — two round trip tickets anywhere the airline flies, and a spirit mask by Bristol Bay artist.
