At that point, the mushers take a mandatory 8 to 12 hour layover depending on trail conditions and experience camping out with and caring for their dogs and themselves. The half way point is at Yentna Station Roadhouse . Another checkpoint is located about midway between the start and Yentna Station, in the area of the Susuitna River. Race officials medical and veterinary personnel are available at each checkpoint also. Every possible precaution is taken to insure that the trail is adequately marked.
Snowmachine crews sweep the trail before and after the teams leave from either end of the trail.
Volunteer pilots fly cover over the race trail and reports of teams' progress are relayed to Headquarters by volunteer HAM operators located at each checkpoint. Additional Information Jr. Iditarod was the first distance race and training ground for young mushers. Hopefully, other areas will begin to promote races for our future distance oriented champions. Please let us know if we can be of help in any way.