The Race: Pre-Race; Eagle River Summary and Analysis

All the mushers must have their teams in Anchorage two days before the race in order to attend meetings where there is a great deal of talk about rules, gear and the trail. The experienced mushers, trail helpers and trail boss all give whatever advice and information they have. The pre-race banquet is required or the mushers risk disqualification. At this event each musher ceremoniously draws his start number, but the most important task of the night for most of the men is getting stupendously drunk. Gary works through the night checking and rechecking equipment. As the light from his headlamp begins to die, the sun comes up over the mountains.

The start of the race is staged in downtown Anchorage for the benefit of television crews and spectators. There is no way...