50th Iditarod: Day 5

Talkeetna musher is first to scratch from race

Anja Radano is first musher to scratch from this year’s Iditarod. According to a Wednesday night press release, Radano, of Talkeetna, scratched at 9 p.m. at the Nikolai checkpoint.

“Radano made the decision to scratch in the best interest of her race team,” the release said.

She had 12 dogs with her at the time she decided to scratch.

3 leaders make it to Cripple; Seavey declares his 24-hour rest

Three mushers have checked in at Cripple, the official halfway point of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Brent Sass of Eureka was the first one there at 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by defending champion Dallas Seavey at 6:53 p.m.

Official race standings also show Hugh Neff checked in at Cripple at 8:41 p.m. Online GPS tracking showed Ryan Redington closing in to the checkpoint, just about 2 miles out on Wednesday evening.

The race’s top contenders have been leapfrogging over the last few legs, and several mushers have started opting to take their required 24-hour layover. Seavey told Iditarod Insider that he will take his 24-hour rest at the Cripple checkpoint.

Three mushers have already completed their mandatory 24-hour layover — Aaron Burmeister who took it at McGrath, as well as Matthew Failor and Ryne Olson.