The nearly 1,000-mile test of endurance for people and dogs began with the traditional ceremonial start in Anchorage, with each of the 49 mush teams parading through the streets of Alaska's largest city at two-minute intervals, a day before the official race start in Willow, 75 miles to the north. After the 11-mile jaunt, it was time to rest up until the main event.

It is the 50th running of the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, itself a commemoration of the daring and desperate Serum Run, a race to get needed medicine across frozen lands to needy children in Nome in 1925.

The race has two routes, the Northern and the Southern. The usual practice is that participants take the Northern route in even-numbered years and the Southern route in odd-numbered years. This year's competitors will follow the Northern Route.

The shadow of the coronavirus COVID-19 was large again, as the pandemic progressed into a third year. Race organizers canceled the ceremonial start in 2021 and this year took several steps to help mitigate the spread of the infectious virus. All mushers had to prove that they had been vaccinated against the virus. Once they are at the various checkpoints on the course, mushers will isolate.

One checkpoint particularly affected is White Mountain, at which competitors have to spend eight hours before making the last 77-mile dash to Nome. Instead of taking their usual layover in the established community building, mushers will pass that time in one of a series of tents being built for the occasion.

Heading the field of 49 (32 men and 17 women) is defending champ Dallas Seavey, who at age 35 is already tied with Rick Swenson for the most wins ever, with five. Seavey's father, Mitch, is in the field, to try to add to his three victories. Also copmeting are 2018 champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom and 2019 winner Pete Kaiser. The 2020 champ, Thomas Waerner, couldn't leave Norway and so isn't in the field. A total of 13 mushers are competing for the first time.