Southcentral · Iditarod checkpoint
Anchorage
Alaska's largest city and the site of the Iditarod's ceremonial start, where teams parade down 4th Avenue in front of the crowds.
Approx. mile
~0
of ~1,000
To Nome
~1000 mi
remaining
Leg
Southcentral
Southcentral
Setting
Cook Inlet · Southcentral
On the trail
Anchorage in the race
The ceremonial start is a festival, not a timed leg — mushers and dogs jog through downtown so fans can see them up close before the real race begins the next day in Willow. It's free to watch and the most accessible point on the whole trail.
Mile markers are approximate and shift with the year's route. Anchorage sits on the southcentral leg of the 2027 southern route.
Background
History
Founded in 1915 as a railroad construction camp, Anchorage grew into Alaska's largest city — home to roughly 40% of the state's population.
Visiting
Getting there
Served by Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), with the road system, hotels, and the downtown ceremonial start all easy to reach.
Next checkpoint →
Willow
Plan around it
Events in Southcentral
Irish Fest — Solas and Reverie Road
Mount Marathon Race — Seward
The toughest 5K on the planet — 98th running up and down Mount Marathon.
Jerrod Niemann
The whole trail