Iron Dog Day #5: Team #7 leads at Ruby checkpoint, 15 teams remain

Nearly 1,800 miles later and Iron Dog Team #7, Tyler Aklestad and Nick Olstad, lead the 2020 Iron Dog, arriving at the Ruby checkpoint at 5:15 p.m.

It’s evident after five days of racing that the 2020 Iron Dog is a war of attrition as 14 teams have scratched from the race. Some of the toughest terrain remains as teams will have to navigate through the treacherous Alaska Range.

Before teams can start thinking about the Alaska Range, they’ll have to tackle the six-plus feet of snowpack between Ruby and Ophir, according to Iron Dog executive director John Woodbury. The weather could be a game-changer late in the race as crews in the area work to break trail for racers.