Iditarod 2010

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race covers 1150 snowy miles from Anchorage to Nome, a frozen Tour de Alaska that takes anywhere from 10 to 15 days. And it's really cold. The Iditarod Trail began as a mail and supply route, and it was really cold then too. There's been 23 Iditarod races, and all of them have been cold. 72 mushers entered the race this year, each with between 12 to 16 dogs. This year's race featured the debut of Newton Marshall of Jamaica. I'll bet he was cold. Really cold. ( 19 photos total)

Jeff King leaves the Unalakleet, Alaska checkpoint in second place March 14 in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen)

Jason Barron's dogs charge down the trail just after the ceremonial start March 6. (REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder) #

A handler for Jessie Royer unloads dogs to feed them before the official start in Willow, Alaska March 7. Seventy-one mushers and their powerful sled dog teams got a festive send-off in downtown Anchorage for a 10-mile ceremonial run. (REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder) #

Lance Mackey, winner of the Iditarod for the last three years, reaches out to fans while charging down the trail just after the official start in Willow, Alaska March 7. (REUTERS/Nathaniel Wilder) #

Jason Barron puts coats on his team after arriving at the Nikolai, Alaska checkpoint while his sled dog Classic checks out the scene March 9. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Sebastian Schnuelle checks one of his dog's paws as as he prepares to leave the Nikolai, Alaska checkpoint March 9. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Mitch Seavey heads down the trail from Nikolai to McGrath, Alaska March 9. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

One of Hugh Neff's team dogs shakes off after arriving in the Kuskokwim River town of McGrath March 9. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska cleans ice out of the groove on his sled runner so he can put a new plastic one on at the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint March 11. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Iditarod veterinarian Samantha Yeltatzie takes a nap at the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint March 11. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

William Johnson gets hot water at the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint March 11. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Five-time Iditarod champion Rick Swenson, surrounded by other mushers, sleeps at the Ruby, Alaska checkpoint March 12. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Kristy Berington rubs massage balm on her dog Graystone at the Ruby, Alaska checkpoint March 13. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Veterinarians bring dropped dogs down to the river landing strip to be flown out at the Yukon River checkpoint of Ruby, Alaska March 12. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

An Iditarod musher cruises through the thin spruce forest near the Cripple, Alaska checkpoint March 12. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

John Baker arrives at the Unalakleet checkpoint March 14. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Lance Mackey prepares to leave the Unalakleet, Alaska checkpoint in first place March 14. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News, Bob Hallinen) #

Jeff King works on his team as Lance Mackey walks in from the checkpoint as they prepare to leave Unalakleet, Alaska March 14. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

Jeff King gets a lick on the face from his dog Shannon after claiming third place in Nome, Alaska March 16. (AP Photo/Anchorage Daily News/Bob Hallinen) #

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Iditarod 2010