New Zealand can be proud of Kiwi bike athlete Nina Stupples who completed her first ITI350 today at 04:23. Nina was new to ITI last year and she has mastered a longer distance this year in much more challenging conditions. Her unwavering willpower carried her though the tough patches and at no point during the race did Nina let hard challenges deter her.

Another great racer finishing ITI350 today is Minnesota foot athlete Kari Gibbons, who crossed the finish line at 05:19.

Kari’s tenacity along the Trail is a testament to her solid experience as an ultra athlete. The ultimate “Trail Sister”, Kari is a fantastic team player and when not on the ITI, she can be found braving other ultra with racing partner Kate Coward, this year’s ITI350 Bike Champion.

Minnesota breeds strong talent with two women winning ITI350 Champion titles this year. The “Wild Winter Women” group the women are part of has some celebrating to do after such great results on the ITI Trail.

Completing this year’s tough edition is certainly a great achievement for all our athletes.

Well done Nina and Kari!

ITI1000

The lead pack,  Petr Ineman, Casey Fagerquist and Jill Martindale have stopped for a rest just 20 miles out of Cripple. They’re closely followed by Finnish bike racer Jussi Karjalainen.

Skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun, foot racer Beat Jegerlehner and bike athlete Toni Lund have all stopped in Ophir for a well-earned break.

Kiwi bike racers George Adams and Graham Muir are resting in Takotna.

Mark Hines reached McGrath tonight at 23:43 after a long day on the Trail.

Roberto Gazzoli, Willy Mulonia, Jill Homer, Troy Szczurkowski are all in McGrath.

Klaus Schweinberger is arriving in McGrath shortly.

Donald Kane and Loreen Hewitt have both scratched.

ITI350

Foot athlete Kari Gibbons is expected to cross the finish line shortly.

She is closely followed by New Zealand athlete Nina Stupples.

Behind the women are ITI rookies Robert Sullivan and Keith Eckert expected to complete the race tomorrow.

Currently one of ITI1000 lead athletes, Petr Ineman is seen here getting ready to go out on the Trail earlier in the race.

Anchorage skier Lars Danner has crossed the finish line in McGrath today at 17:28.

By finishing the ITI350 Ski Race, Lars starts an elite ITI club: he is the first racer to finish the ITI350 in the three different categories.

Lars completed the ITI350 Bike Race in both 2015 and 2016, then finished the ITI350 Foot Race in 2018.

But, as many athletes can appreciate, the ITI ski race may be an even tougher race and there were only 5 skiers crossing the start line across both distances this year.

Why so little racers braving the ITI?
Lars gives a very good insight into why the ITI Trail presents many challenges for skiers:

http://larsdanner.blogspot.com/2019/01/

After reading this, or if you have ever attempted to ski on the Trail before, you will probably look at ITI Veteran Lars Danner with renewed admiration.

We sure do.

Congratulations Lars on a fantastic race again this year and on breaking a brand new record too as the first Multi-Discipline ITI350 Finisher.

Two athletes who we did not report on finishing due to faulty trackers are foot racer Ryan Wanless and bike athlete Beth Shaner.

Both racers crossed the finish line on March 9th at, respectively, 13:45 for Ryan Wanless and 13:50 for Beth Shaner.

Two accomplished athletes, Ryan and Beth had a strong race and braved challenges on the Trail with great tenacity.

To the friends and families worrying about those dots not moving, we apologise for the failed tech.

And to Ryan and Beth, thank you for honouring the ITI Trail and being such great members of our ITI community!

A lot of our athletes endorse a good cause for which they raise awareness during the race.

This year, two of our ITI350 foot racers currently on the Trail are SEALs raising awareness and support for the SEALs For Future and their Warrior Health Program, which offers SEALs assistance with health protocols.

Robert Sullivan and Keith Eckert, both from Coronado, California, are SEALs who have accepted to take on the challenge to help others facing long-term health issues ranging from Traumatic Brain Injury to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and from physical disability to severe depression.

You can find out more about the purpose of their mission and SEALs For Future and how to support this good cause here:

https://sealff.org/iditarod-trail-invitational/

Well done Robert, Keith and all SEALs involved!

Another beautiful day on the Trail with sunshine and light winds for our athletes today.

ITI1000

There are 17 racers left in the race on this tough edition of ITI after early scratches. Here’s the update on the racing athletes:

BIKE RACE

The lead pack is making fast progress towards Cripple with Casey Fagerquist ahead, very closely followed by strong female athlete Jill Martindale, Illinois bike racer Petr Ineman and Finnish athlete Jussi Karjalainen. Jill Martindale is showing no sign of fatigue and will be the one to watch on the way to Nome.

Back in McGrath are Toni Lund, Troy Szczurkowski, Graham Muir, George Adams. Roberto Gazzoli and Willy Mulonia.

A real team player, Troy Szczurkowski decided not to chase the lead pack and instead stay back in McGrath to help fellow cyclist George Adams whose bike needed rebuilding. A tough decision for our competitive racer but a great display of camaraderie.

FOOT RACE

Beat Lederjehner left McGrath in the night and has now passed Takotna.

Jill Homer arrived in McGrath this morning after a strong race from Nikolai.

Next athlete expected in McGrath today is Brit Mark Hines.

Klaus Schweinberger has been steadily progressing towards McGrath.

Scotsman Donald Kane is in Nikolai where Loreen Hewitt will join him later today.

SKI

After a good rest, Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun has left McGrath and is progressing fast towards Takotna. Asbjørn is the only skier left in the race.

ITI350

FINISHERS

Tiziano Mulonia completed the race at 23:28 after a long day on the Trail.

Robert Youngren crossed the ITI350 finish line in the night at 02:18.

Skier Greg Mills arrived in McGrath at 04:02am.

Foor racer Amber Bethe finished the race at 09:21 this morning.

Norwegian foot athlete Frode Lein completed ITI350 at 10:11am.

RACERS

Skier Lars Danner is expected to finish in McGrath in the next couple of hours.

Foot racer Kari Gibbons and bike athlete Nina Stupples are on the stretch home now, with finish in sight for both athletes, who have shown great stamina along the Trail. Nina lost her race companion after Cheryl Wallace had to end her race last night but she is going strong and shows no sign of slowing down until the finish line.

Foot racers Robert Sullivan and Keith Eckert have left Nikolai and are on the last part of the race now.

Below pictured are Amber Bethe enjoying a well-earned finish meal in McGrath (thanks Champion Faye Norby for the snap); the racers waiting to go out to conquer Nome with a very happy George Adams opening a package from his Kiwi motherland (Ryan Wanless is on pap duty); Troy Szczurkowski earlier in the race; and happy ITI350 finishers Chris Moroch, Steve Hayes and ITI350 Foot Champion Gavan Hennigan with happy dog Bronwyn (thanks Claire for the pic). Last photograph is Italian athlete Tiziano Mulonia.

Congratulations / Félicitations à Mathieu Bonnier who won the ITI350 Ski Race today when crossing the finish line today at 11:28am.

The multi-discipline, 63 year-old athlete from France has steadily pushed through difficult weather and trail conditions from the start of the race, never without slowing down or losing focus.

This tenacity earned him his ITI Champion title.

Bravo Mathieu!

No challenge is too extreme for multi-discipline athlete Mathieu Bonnier.

ITI1000

The leading pack is resting in Ophir after a fast day on the Trail.

Kiwi bike athletes Graham Muir and George Adams have arrived in McGrath tonight at 20:37. They have moved fast today and are catching up quickly.

Another fast athlete today is skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun who is approaching McGrath.

He is followed by Willy Mulonia who is pushing his brother Tizanio to his ITI350 finish. Willy will then carry on to Nome.

Jill Homer is steadily progressing towards McGrath.

UK foot racer Mark Hines has left Nikolai and is moving fast along the Trail towards the next checkpoint.

Austrian athlete Klaus Schweinberger is currently resting in Nikolai and Scotsman Donald Kane is expected to reach the checkpoint in the night.

Loreen Hewitt has passed Bear Creek and is on her way to Nikolai.

ITI350

Moving towards a second place behind ITI350 Ski Champion Mathieu Bonnier is skier Greg Mills and behind him on the Trail is multi-discipline ITI Finisher Lars Danner.

Foot athlete Robert Yongren, from Alabama is currently 18 miles out from the finishing line.

Anchorage foot athlete Amber Bethe is gearing for a morning finish, she is racing with ITI1000 Jill Homer.

Foot racer Frode Lein is expected in McGrath in the morning.

Nina Stupples, from Westport, New Zealand, has reached Nikolai for the night for a well-earned break.

Moving steadily is SEALs and foot athlete Robert Sullivan who is getting closer to Nikolai, his race companion and fellow SEALs Keith Eckert’s tracker is faulty.

Cheryl Wallace has been progressing slowly after suffering a bad back from a moose incident a few days ago today and no longer able to carry on unfortunately. She is currently being rescued and brought into Nikolai.

A clear night for the athletes out on the Trail tonight and clear blue skies, light winds and highs of 4°F.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ATHLETES FOR ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE ITI TRAIL.

Foot athlete Faye Norby from St Paul, Minnesota is this year’s ITI350 Foot Champion - Women.

Faye has had a strong race despite the challenges thrown at her.

She has not let extreme weather and difficult trail conditions deter her. Her drive and stamina have pushed her forward when it would have been easier to struggle and slow down.

Faye Norby arrived with race companion and ITI350 finisher Jeff Leuwerke at 12:12pm.

Well done Faye, you deserve your Champion’s title.

After Kate Coward winning the ITI350 Bike Race - Women, Faye is the second Minnesotan woman to win this year. Go Minnesota!

The confident smile of a champion.

The sunshine welcomes ITI350 Foot Champion - Women - Faye and her race companion Jeff Leuwerke.

ITI350

FOOT RACE FINISHERS

More finishers for the ITI350 overnight with Christof Teuscher crossing the line at 12:15am and taking the second place in the foot race.

Completing ITI350 this morning were Jersey, UK, foot racer Steve Hayes at 07:11am and Chris Moroch, from Statesville, North Carolina, at 10:35am.

Other foot athletes finishing the race in McGrath today are Minnesotan racers Jeff Leuwerke and Faye Norby at 12:12, Australian athlete Daniel Cooper at 12:57, as well as Ryan Wanless, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at 13:45.

Faye Norby is this year’s ITI350 Foot Race Champion - Women.

SKI RACE FINISHERS

Matthieu Bonnier arrived in McGrath today at 11:28am, which earns him the title of ITI350 Ski Race Champion.

RACING ATHLETES

Italian bike racer Tiziano Mulonia is clearly feeling the end is getting close and is progressing fast towards McGrath. He is travelling with his brother, ITI1000 bike athlete Willy Mulonia.

Skier Greg Mills and foot athlete Robert Youngren are heading towards McGrath together.

The lead for the women’s foot race is currently St Paul, Minnesota athlete Faye Norby who has been strong throughout the race and she is closely followed by Anchorage athlete Amber Bethe. Faye Norby’s tracker is playing up.

Skier Lars Danner is progressing well on the last stretch home. The athlete will be a finisher in the three ITI disciplines when he reaches McGrath.

Foot racer Kari Gibbons has arrived in Nikolai for a well-earned break and foot athlete Frode Lein from Hakadal, Norway has now left the checkpoint after a good rest (check out the photographs below to see how the strong Norwegian racer sleeps when he needs some efficient recuperating rest).

Behind Gibbons on their way to Nikolai are Klaus Schweinberger, Donald Kane, Nina Stupples, Robert Sullivan, Cheryl Wallace, and Keith Eckert, who is nearing Bear Creek. We are currently checking on Cheryl Wallace and will report back in due course.

Some athletes’s trackers have flat batteries and their position is not accurate, notably Beth Shaner’s, Mathieu Bonnier’s, Ryan Wanless’. We will report back on the athletes.

ITI1000

Leading ITI1000 athletes Casey Fagerquist, Petr Ineman, Jill Martindale and Jussi Karjalainen have left McGrath this morning and have already passed Takotna. Next stop is Ophir. There has been a lot of snowmachine traffic up the Trail north of McGrath and the racers have been progressing well along the Trail so far.

ITI1000 bike racer Roberto Gazzoli arrived in McGrath at 12:48 am. Both Beat Jegerlehner and Troy Szczurkowski are also in McGrath today where they join Finnish athlete Toni Lund.

Skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun is moving fast towards McGrath after a good rest and some equipment maintenance in Nikolai (see pictures).

Italian bike racer Wily Mulonia is closely followed by New Zealand racing duo Graham Muir and George Adams. They all left Nikolai in the night and have been progressing well towards the next checkpoint.

Brit foot athlete Mark Hines has arrived in Nikolai for a well-earned break after a long stretch to the checkpoint.

Jill Homer had a good rest in Nikolai and is heading towards McGrath. She’s currently pushing forward behind ITI350 athlete Amber Bethe .

ITI Veteran and foot athlete Loreen Hewitt is currently in Bear Creek.

A good day on the Trail, mostly sunny weather, currently 0°F with highs around 8°F above and north winds to 10 mph.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FINISHERS AND GOOD LUCK TO ALL RACERS TODAY.

Power athlete couple Rebecca Rusch and Greg Martin had decided they would ride the Trail together and finish the race together in McGrath.

They sure did and arrived tonight at 21:20.

Another great race for Rebecca who won last year’s edition of the women’s ITI350 bike race.

Well done to Rebecca and Greg for a formidable team spirit on the Trail!

Also arriving in McGrath tonight at 22:05 was Finnish bike athlete and ITI Veteran Toni Lund. However McGrath is only a checkpoint for Toni as the finish line is at Nome for the racer.

Couple in real life, racing team on the Trail.

Beat Jederlehner and Beth Shaner are moving towards McGrath together. Beth's tracker is not working properly but we are monitoring them.

They had company on the Trail as they were followed by 3 dogs 15 miles out of Nikolai.

Mathieu Bonnier's tracker is also playing up. He is also moving towards McGrath.

Greg Martin and Rebecca Rusch are crossing the line in McGrath as we publish. Toni Lund is also arriving in McGrath, a checkpoint to Nome for him.

The stretch Nikolai - McGrath is busy tonight and Nikolai's checkpoint is expecting another steady flow of arrivals tonight.

Race Director Kyle Durand is following the back of the race up to Nikolai.

Foot racer Hendra Wijaya has now ended his race and will be flying back to Anchorage tomorrow, weather allowing. He took 5 snowmachines and about 6-7 hours to break trail in whiteout conditions to get to Hells Gate (aptly named) and back - see pictures of the rescue mission led by ITI crew Kyle and Adrian. Thank you to everyone involved in getting Hendra back to Puntilla.

Captured on video below when arriving at the last checkpoint on his race, is Italian athlete Tiziano Mulonia who can’t wait to see the finish line in McGrath and go home after battling snow and cold temperatures all night and day. Tiziano will eat and rest in Nikolai before tackling the last stretch home tomorrow.

ITI1000 skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun has also arrived in Nikolai tonight.

Well done everyone on another good day!

Mathieu Bonnier, the lead skier in the 350 race arrived late last night in Nikolai. He ate well and rested for his final push up to McGrath. 
We caught up with him as he left Nikolai this morning.

To put it into context, Mathieu who is 62, has a few extreme racing events under his belt.
He has finished the ITI ski race in 1998 and 2000, he's competed in the Arrowhead Ultra, Tuscobia Winter Ultra 160, White Mountains 100 and MYAU2015 430 to name few.

And if that was not enough, the Frenchman from the Alpine Isère area is also an experienced rower who crossed both the Atlantic and the Nortwest Passage solo.

Awe-inspiring? You bet.

Allez Mathieu!

A big shout-out to the many people who devote their time and energy to make the ITI race a unique experience for the racers.
Our Trail Angels all show nothing but dedication and kindness and some of them have been helping for years.

Today we would like to thank both a long-time Trail Angel, Zoe Brinker and new ITI Trail Angels, volunteers Rhende and Chalayne, who both did an amazing job welcoming racers at Shell Lake Lodge as Zoe has been unwell and not able to do it herself this year.

Zoe Brinker has owned and operated the lodge since 1978 and is an ITI institution. Zoe has been hosting racers, but also mushers and travellers every winter. She’s suffered a bad back for years but it has never stopped her from being active and welcome people. She’s the soul of Shell Lake and her bright personality is missed this year.

Rhende and Chalayne have giving racers the best care and Rhende, who is also ITI foot racer Kari Gibbons' mother even made Alaskan beer following Zoe’s recipe.

Both women went to visit Zoe before flying back home to Minnesota to tell her about this year's race so she wouldn't miss out on the excitement.

ITI is a race but it is also a wider community that comes together every year to celebrate teamwork, on the Trail and off the Trail.
There are a lot of remarkable people with inspiring stories working behind-the-scenes and we would like to thank every one of them for the great job they do.

Gavan Hennigan crossed the finish line at 03:48 after long, gruelling hours of racing on the Trail today. 

Gavan has had a fantastic race, keeping his speed no matter the challenges this ITI edition has thrown his way.

Gavan is not scared of challenges having rowed across the Atlantic solo in 49 days.

Well done Gavan, you deserve a good meal at Peter and Tracy Schneiderheinze’s in McGrath!

They have hosted the racers since 1997, the first year of the 350-mile race and their finish meal is legendary amongst ITI athletes, so no doubt Gavan will enjoy their hospitality.

Now, guess who is going to be St Patty's Day King?

With a special thank you to Jennifer Elliott for the Irish flag! 

Athletes are all progressing well on the Trail.

ITI1000 athletes Petr Ineman and Jill Martindale have reached McGrath Checkpoint.

Gavan Hennigan is expected to cross the ITI350 finish line very soon now. A victory in sight for the man who also counts a solo rowing crossing of the Atlantic in 49 days to his sporting achievements.

He is closely followed by ITI1000 bike racer Jussi Karjalainen, from Oulu, Finland.

Other ITI1000 bike athlete to be expected in McGrath late in the night/dawn is ITI Veteran Toni Lund, Paimio, Finland.

Also on the way to McGrath tonight are Rebecca Rusch and Greg Martin who are expected to cross the finish line of ITI350 together in the early hours.

NIKOLAI UPDATE

Another cosy night in Nikolai where a few more athletes are expected to arrive for a well-deserved break.

ITI350 foot racer Steve Hayes has joined Christof Teuscher, Roberto Gazzoli, Troy Szczurkowski at the checkpoint.

Next is ITI350 bike racer Beth Shaner, from Crested Butte, Colorado, followed by another strong female athlete on the Trail, Faye Norby, the leader of the ITI350 women’s foot race and Jeff Leuwerke.

Behind them, and approximately an hour from Nikolai are ITI1000 foot racer Beat Jegerlehner, ITI350 skier Mathieu Bonnier and ITI1000 bike racer Graham Muir, from New Zealand.

Another racer who swapped hot summer days for Alaskan winter is Daniel Cooper, from Ashgrove, Australia. He is competing in the ITI350 foot race and moving along the Trail with fellow ITI350 foot athlete Chris Moroch from Statesville, North Carolina as well as Ryan Wanless, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The racers are expected to arrive in the night in Nikolai.

Next are Italian brothers Tiziano and Willy Mulonia. Tizanio is competing in the ITI350 and Willy is going all the way to Nome. Willy Mulonia and Roberto Gazzoli are the respected race director and director of the tough Mongolia Bike Challenge, which takes place in August in Mongolia.

Behind the Mulonia brothers are Moose Hero and ITI350 skier Greg Mills, ITI350 foot athlete Robert Youngren, from Gurley, Alabama. They’ve stopped to bivy in Bear Creek with ITI Veteran and 1000 foot racer Jill Homer, and ITI1000 skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun, from Holsted, Denmark.

They are joined by ITI350 foot racer Amber Bethe, a strong athlete from Anchorage.

Behind them are ITI1000 foot athlete Mark Hines, from London, UK, ITI350 skier Lars Danner and ITI350 foot racer Frode Lein, from Hakadal, Norway. The trio is progressing well towards the checkpoint.

Further back on their way to Nikolai are ITI1000 foot racers Donald Kane, from Australia ( even if the Scottish accent may say otherwise) and Klaus Schweinberger, from Austria. Both athletes are currently heading towards Bear Creek.

They closely follow the tracks of a strong female athlete from Minnesota (yes, another one!), Kari Gibbons, who is competing in the ITI350 foot race.

All other athletes are now stationed in Rohn apart from ITI350 foot racer Hendra Wijaya who has been resting in the warmth of a cabin at Hells Gate before returning to Puntilla.

Thank you everyone for your support in the past week.

It’s been a busy night and day so far on the Trail.

FOOT RACERS

Foot racer Hendra Wijaya, from Indonesia has been going off course, following tracks to a cabin at Hells Gate but is warm and safe now. He is going to go back to Puntilla.

Leading the women foot race is Faye Norby, from St Paul, Minnesota, who has had a strong race so far and is currently 18 miles away from Nikolai.

ITI1000 athlete Jussi Karjalainen, from Oulu, Finland, has had a great race so far and he is currently moving to McGrath.

Christof Teuscher is currently arriving in Nikolai.

He is followed by Brit Steve Hayes and Jeff Leuwerke, another Minnesotan doing well this year.

ITI Veteran Beat Jegerlehner is moving towards Nikolai as well and racing alongside Kiwi bike racer George Adams (see below).

Austrian ITI1000 racer Klaus Schweinberger has left Rohn this morning.

Leader Gavan Hennigan is progressing fast towards a victory in McGrath.

ITI1000 foot athlete and true ITI Legend Loreen Hewitt is currently moving steadily 14 miles out of Rohn.

SKIERS

Larson Danner, who has several ITI McGrath finishes under his belt is skiing this year. Lars wants to race in the 3 different ITI disciplines. He’s currently on his way to Nikolai.

Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun, from Denmark, finished the 350 distance last year and is doing ITI1000 this year. His father is here to great him in Nome.

Mathieu Bonnier, from Corenc, France, is a multi-discipline athlete with amongst other achievements, a Solo Atlantic Crossing Row and a Northwest Passage Solo Row. Mathieu is currently progressing towards Nikolai.

Greg Mills, from Anchorage, Alaska, is currently heading to Bear Creek and onto Nikolai later.

BIKE RACERS

Casey Fagerquist, the leading ITI1000 racer is the next bike athlete arriving in McGrath today.

He is followed by Jim McDonough who will complete the ITI350 when reaching McGrath.

Behind them are Petr Ineman, who is the second athlete going to Nome and for whom McGrath will only be a checkpoint, and Jill Martindale, who is the leading female athlete in the ITI1000 bike race. Jill has been showing great tenacity and stamina all the way so far so she will be the one to watch beyond McGrath.

Rebecca Rusch, Greg Martin, Toni Lund and Troy Szczurkowski are currently resting in Nikolai.

New Zealand athletes Graham Muir and George Adams are on their way to Nikolai. George’s bike broke but he’s pushing it forward to the next checkpoint. Both athletes are going to Nome this year and shunning the Kiwi summer sunshine for Arctic wind gusts on the Trail.

Third bike athlete in the women’s ITI350 race, Beth Shaner is moving towards Nikolai as well where she is expected tonight. Beth has been consistently strong on the Trail, braving harsh conditions and difficult terrain.

Amber Bethe, from Anchorage, is following skier Greg Mills towards Bear Creek and onto Nikolai. Amber is an accomplished athlete with achievements outside ITI such as White Montains 100.

Another Kiwi and strong woman on the Trail is Nina Stupples who was an ITI rookie last year only. Nina is racing with fellow ITI350 bike athlete Cheryl Wallace and both women are arriving in Rohn.

FINISHERS - ITI350 BIKE

• Bergur Benediktsson completed the ITI350 bike race at 09:59.

• Jamie Hollingsworth arrived in McGrath at 10:20.

• Aaron Wilbur finished the same race at noon - on the dot!

NIKOLAI UPDATE

It's a cosy night in Nikolai tonight with several athletes checking in in the last couple of hours.

Currently stationed in Nikolai are:

Jim McDonough, Casey Fagerquist, Jussi Karjalainen, Petr Ineman, our second female bike athlete Jill Martindale, Toni Lund and Gavan Hennigan.

Expected to join them soon is ITI Veteran Troy Szczurkowski, from Daisy Hill, Australia.

Next will be Rebecca Rush and Greg Martin. Rebecca and Greg have decided to finish the race together, so don't expect Rebecca racing solo while Greg takes a catnap!

Irishman Gavan Hennigan is currently leading the foot race and is the first foot athlete to arrive in Nikolai this year. Here's a video of his arrival, we know he has Ireland wide awake watching his dot.

Well done Gavan!

After a sensational performance throughout the race, Minnesotan bike athlete Kate Coward crossed the finish line in McGrath tonight at 10:25pm.

Kate has been inspiring many with her relentless tenacity throughout challenges on the Trail and we are honoured to call her an ITI Champion.

Well done Kate!

When ITI350 athletes arrive in Nikolai, pressure is high. It’s the last checkpoint before the finish line.

Resting and eating becomes more important than ever after a few days on the Trail in difficult weather conditions and ahead of the last big push before McGrath.

Iceland athlete Bergur Benediktsson, from Reykjavic, Iceland has just left the checkpoint for the last stretch of the race.

Inside the lodge Aaron Wilbur, Casey Fagerquist and Jamie Hollingsworth are appreciating a welcome break from the effort. Joining them is Petr Ineman, from Downers Grove, Illinois, who has arrived shortly.

Volunteer George masters a perfect burger, in fact so delicious that Aaron has thoroughly enjoyed his 4th serving and there’s been banter about turning the checkpoint into “Chez George at Nikolai, tastiest burgers with 5 star reviews”.

If all the athletes are 100% into the race, humour and good food is what helps them to take some of the pressure off and rest more efficiently. They leave refreshed and ready to tackle on the last part of their race.