One-by-one, mushers took to the stage Thursday night to draw random numbers from a fur boot. The selection skipped the first bib number in honor of this year's honorary musher, the late Dr. Stuart Nelson. The longtime Iditarod veterinarian died at age 71 in September of 2024.
With this year's official restart moved to Fairbanks, eight-time Iditarod finisher Jason Mackey will lead the pack out of his hometown. Familiar names like Matt Hall, Travis Beals, and Nicolas Petit will also be in the first ten teams to depart.
Three-time Iditarod champion, Mitch Seavey, will be one of the last to leave Fairbanks wearing bib number 32.
Nearly half of the field this year will be rookies.
The race's ceremonial start is scheduled to kick off at 10:39 a.m. with mushers departing every 3 minutes. The teams will then rush to Fairbanks for the official restart Monday morning.
Starting order
2. Jason Mackey from Fairbanks, AK (Veteran)
3. Samantha LaLonde from Farmington Hills, MI (Rookie)
4. Matt Hall from Two Rivers, AK, (Veteran)
5. Ebbe Pedersen from Alta, Norway (Rookie)
6. Travis Beals from Seward, AK (Veteran)
7. Nicolas Petit from Big Lake, AK (Veteran)
8. Sydnie Bahl from Wasilla, AK (Rookie)
9. Brenda Mackey from Fairbanks AK, (Rookie)
10. Jenny Roddewig from Fairbanks, AK (Rookie)
11. Mike Parker from Eagle River, AK (Rookie)
12. Anna Berington from Knik, AK (Veteran)
13. Keaton Loebrich from Midland, MI (Rookie)
14. Michelle Phillips from Ten Mile, YT Canada(Veteran)
15. Jessie Holmes from AL (Veteran)
16. Ryan Redington from Knik, AK (Veteran)
17. Riley Dyche from Big Lake, AK (Veteran)
18. Mille Porsild from Denmark (Veteran)
19. Daniel Klein from Eagle, WI (Rookie)
20. Gabe Dunham from Willow, AK (Veteran)
21. Dane Baker from Royal Oak, MI (Rookie)
22. Bailey Vitello from Milan, NH/ Nenana, AK (Veteran)
23. Lauro Eklund from Two Rivers, AK (Veteran)
24. Bryce Mumford from Preston, ID (Rookie)
25. Calvin Daugherty from Eagle River, AK (Rookie)
26. Paige Drobny from Cantwell, AK (Veteran)
27. Quince Mountain from Mountain, WI (Rookie)
28. Connor McMahon from Carcross, YT Canada(Rookie)
29. Justin Olnes from Fairbanks, AK (Rookie)
30. Charmayne Morrison from Bozeman, MT (Rookie)
31. Matthew Failor from Willow, AK (Veteran)
32. Mitch Seavey from Seward/Sterling, AK (Veteran)
33. Jeff Deeter from Fairbanks, AK (Veteran)
34. Emily Ford from Duluth, MN (Rookie)
