Alaska’s Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start

The world’s most famous sled dog race kicked off Saturday with the ceremonial run on the streets of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. There’s only 33 mushers in this year’s race, the smallest field ever to compete in all 51 races.

Thousands of fans braved near zero degree temperatures to line Anchorage streets for the ceremonial start, including Gordon Bokhart, from Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Iditarod’s competitive start will be Sunday in Willow, Alaska, about 70 miles north of Anchorage.