Iditarod Makes Plans for Possible Fairbanks Start of Race

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — The head of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will meet with Fairbanks officials next week to discuss possibly starting the 1,000-mile race in that city because of poor snow conditions in south-central Alaska.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports Stan Hooley will meet with Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Karl Kassel and others to discuss the alternate northern start.

The Iditarod board of directors will make a decision by Feb. 12. The ceremonial start of the race is scheduled for March 5 in Anchorage.

Low snow led Iditarod officials to move the race start to Fairbanks in 2003 and again last year.

Kassel says he wants to make a plan for hosting the race start in future years and says the community needs a routine instead of an emergency response.