Neil Beltchenko is on his way to the finish line with a gigantic lead

Neil Beltchenko has a giant lead on Clinton Hodges III and defending champ Jay Petervary.  He arrived in Nikolai late last night and rested for only 2 hours.  As of this morning he is about 40 miles from the finish line in McGrath, so expected to finish later this afternoon.  I am flying out to to the finish line this morning to greet him as he arrives in the remote town of 350 residents, where the only way to get there is by airplane or by the frozen Iditarod Trail in the winter. 

It's -20 in McGrath this morning.

Kathi M. 
co race director