Musher Nathan Schroeder of Chisholm -- competing in his first Iditarod after winning the Northland's John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon three times -- is past the final checkpoint and in a tight race to be the first rookie to finish to 1,000-mile race across the Alaskan wilderness.
Schroeder and his team of 11 dogs left the Safety checkpoint, about 20 miles from the finish in Nome, at 6:15 a.m. Alaska time today -- the same time as fellow rookie Abbie West and her team of eight, and in 17th place of the 50 teams still on the trail. Schroeder and West have been trading the lead rookie spot for much of the race.
Teams have been averaging about 2 1/2 to 3 hours to cover the last stage between Safety and Nome, which would put Schroeder into the finish at about 9 a.m. Alaska time / noon Duluth time.
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