Twenty-six mushers have signed up so far for the 52nd running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The list of future contestants includes 2023 champion Ryan Redington, grandson of the Father of the Iditarod, Joe Redington Sr., and the son of veteran Iditarod musher Ray Redington.
The deadline for signing up for the 2024 race is Nov. 30.
Mushers who meet eligibility requirements may sign up via mail, email, or in person at the Iditarod headquarters in Wasilla.
Those signing up at the annual sign up and picnic for volunteers and fans included nine rookies and 17 veterans. Returning mushers included Redington, Jason Mackey, Dallas Seavey, Riley Dyche, Jessie Royer, and Nic Petit.
The group includes 19 men and seven women, as well as 10 returning mushers from the 2023 race and three past Iditarod champions.
Veteran mushers Brant Sass and Eddie Burke Jr. won the drawing for free entries into the 2024 race.
Iditarod Trail Committee officials also announced earlier in the month that after six years without an increase, the prize purse for the 2024 race would be raised by $50,000 to a total of $574,000, including money earned through Iditarod special awards.
