The world-famous , 1,000-mile journey across Alaska kicked off on Monday in Fairbanks . It usually starts 225 miles south in Willow , but poor conditions this year led organizers to reroute the trail around a mountain range . Aaron Burmeister reclaimed the lead of the Iditarod on Saturday after leaving the checkpoint at Lance Mackey 's ahead of Jeff King . Four mushers have scratched and one has been disqualified . Two dogs have died , including a dog on four-time champion Nulato team .
The world-famous , 1,000-mile journey across Alaska kicked off on Monday in Fairbanks . It usually starts 225 miles south in Willow , but poor conditions this year led organizers to reroute the trail around a mountain range . Aaron Burmeister reclaimed the lead of the Iditarod on Saturday after leaving the checkpoint at Nulato ahead of Jeff King . Four mushers have scratched and one has been disqualified . Two dogs have died , including a dog on four-time champion Lance Mackey 's team .