Anticipation for the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is building as 24 mushers have already signed up on the opening day of registration. A diverse group of veterans and rookies are set to participate in the 53rd running of the iconic race, which starts in Anchorage on March 1, 2025.
This year’s lineup includes several prominent names from previous races. Matt Hall and Jessie Holmes, who finished second and third in the 2024 Iditarod, are back to compete. They will be joined by 2023 Champion Ryan Redington and the 2024 Rookie of the Year Josi Thyr.
Other experienced mushers like Anna Berington, Deke Naaktgeboren, Travis Beals, Michelle Phillips, Riley Dyche, and Nicolas Petit are also among the early registrants.
The preliminary list of 24 mushers comprise 11 rookies and 13 veterans, with a mix of 15 men and nine women. Notably, 12 mushers from the 2024 race have returned, adding depth and competition to the field.
Mushers unable to attend the sign-up event at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla can still register via mail, email, or in person until December 2, 2024 without incurring a higher entry fee.
Additionally, the Iditarod has kicked off its summer raffle, offering a grand prize of $100,050, two awards of $10,000, and twenty-seven $1,000 prizes. The raffle drawing will take place at the Alaska State Fair on September 2, 2024. Tickets are available online at iditarod.com/gamesofchance or by calling 1-907-841-4578 for those outside Alaska.
Six-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey has yet to decide whether he will participate in the 2025 event. At last year’s post-race interview Seavey said that he consulted with his 13 year old daughter over dinner before deciding to race. As they both get older, he shared that he is rethinking how he uses his time.
“I'll be honest with you, part of me loves it. I was talking to my daughter, it was kind of a major time sink. She was just part of why I did it this year, she was very much in favor of it. But I don't know it's too soon, right? So it's not definitely one way or the other. I can tell you that I guess.”
For 2024 Seavey debuted prototype shoes and a carbon fiber sled that he said saved 12-14 pounds. The musher, who celebrated his 37th birthday on the Iditarod trail last year, shared that he has even more technology he hopes to bring to the field.
“I got a whole nother genre of mushing innovations I want to bring out next year or the year after that. They have nothing to do with building so much, so if there’s any electrical engineers hit me up,” Seavey said.
