- WASILLA, Alaska - Organizers of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say 54 mushers signed up for next year's race, just hours after registration opened. Iditarod officials said in a statement Saturday that sign-ups began at 9:00 a.m. at Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters in Wasilla. By 3 p.m., current champion Dallas Seavey and 2011 winner John Baker had entered. Four-time Iditarod champions Lance Mackey, Martin Buser and Jeff King, 2004 Champion Mitch Seavey and a number of top 10 finishers from this year's race also registered, as did nine rookies. Mushers joined hundreds of volunteers Saturday at the Iditarod Headquarters for the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Organizers say Cim Smyth and Jeff King won their $3,000 entry fees back in a final drawing that marked the end of the picnic.

 

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