Iditarod 2024 - Ceremonial Start - Downtown Anchorage

The ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race held in Anchorage the first weekend of March. The teams take a leisurely trip through the city to showcase their dogs and satisfy the locals/tourists most of whom will choose NOT to travel to Willow (an hour's drive north) the next day to witness the actual start of the grueling 1000-mile race to Nome in person.
In this video, you notice a much more casual "race." In the early hours before the run begins, spectators can meet the mushers and dog teams as they prepare.
This is also a chance for sponsors to take come along for the ride either using a second sled tied behind the team or even in the "basket" up front. (Of course, on the trail, each team consists of one musher and his/her (14-16) dogs.)
Spectators line the streets and bike paths through town to cheer for the mushers. It's a great photo-op and allows us to get up-close and personal with the Iditarod without being out on the trail itself.