Iditarod Officials Arrange Food Drop for Mushers and Dogs

Mushers need two-to-three bags of food at every checkpoint

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By KTVA CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Feb 15, 2012 at 9:09 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 27, 2012 at 1:40 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Mushers from around the state were in Anchorage, Thursday, for one of the most important days leading up to the Iditarod: the food drop.

Organizers estimate each musher has 2 to 3 bags for every checkpoint, which adds up to between 1,500 to 2,300 pounds per person.

More than 50 volunteers unloaded the bags, weighed them and stacked them on pallets that will be mailed out.

Organizers said mushers work for weeks to get all the food ready for their dogs and themselves, so it's important volunteers get the bags to the right checkpoint.

“It's paramount,” said Iditarod Race Marshall Mark Nordman. “It's all about dog care and they're full of dog food. Occasionally we miss one or two, but with the amount of stuff you see today, it's amazing we get as many out there as we do."

The Iditarod Air Force will take some of the food bags out on a trip this weekend and then the rest will be mailed.

Organizers said everything will be in place before the race starts on March 3.

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