Lead dogs on the team of Louie Ambrose run during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska, March 2, 2013.
65 teams will make their way through punishing wilderness toward the finish line in Nome on Alaska's western coast 1,000 miles away.
Defending champion Dallas Seavey takes off in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, for the ceremonial start of the 2013 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, March 2, 2013
A dog waits to run in Willow, Alaska, March 3, 2013.
DeeDee Jonrowe drives her team during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Ed Stielstra greets fans as he drives his team during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, March 2, 2013.
Dogs wait in Anchorage before the race, March 2, 2013.
A dog waits to run in Willow, Alaska, March 3, 2013.
Lance Mackey takes off in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Willow, Alaska, March 3, 2013.
Curt Perano of New Zealand drives his team during the ceremonial start of the Race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Dogs on the team of Anna Berrington run in the ceremonial start of the race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Dogs wait to run in Willow, Alaska, March 3, 2013.
Veteran musher Scott Janssen prepares salmon for his dogs before beginning the race in Willow, Alaska, March 3, 2013.
A lead dog on musher Martin Buser's team rears up and barks at the ceremonial start of the race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Dogs wait to run in Willow, Alaska, March 3, 2013.
Mike Williams Sr. greets fans during the ceremonial start of the race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Dallas Seavey, 2012 Iditarod champion, drives his team during the ceremonial start of race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Dogs on musher Scott Janssen's team howl before the ceremonial start race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.
Cim Smith greets fans during the ceremonial start of the race in Anchorage, March 2, 2013.