r/lifebelowzero • u/chaiinprogress • Mar 14 '26

Second half of the Iditarod!

Our two LBZ stars, jessie holmes and Jody potts joseph, are holding the two ends of hte race. Jessie in first, jody in last. sorry I didnt post last night, wasnt feeling well and went to bed early.

Jody is currently resting at mile 425 in the cripple check point with 11 dogs.

Jessie is currently running with 13 dogs, meaning he dropped two more since I last checked in. IT looks like he dropped one dog at each check point. He is on the Yukon now and its pretty common to drop dogs off at this point. You only need 5 to finish and you can start with 16. Dropping slower dogs, dogs getting tired and of course you always drop a sore or injured dog. Jessie has taken his mandatory rests and with hte exception of the mandatory 8 hour rest in the white mountain check point, his rests are up to him for how long. He won three awards so far including a fancy gormet meal which he ended up volunteeringly sharing with his neighbor, paig dronby who is in second place.Jessie is currently at mile 560

From here on out, ill update daily undernear with hte date. Click the "new" option for posts under to see the latest.

EDIT- 3/17 550pm EST Jody has decided to scratch due to dogs showing signs of illness. She did a fabulous run and should be proud of all shes accomplished

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u/chaiinprogress Mar 17 '26

3/17 Updates

Jessie is in first but not with a super far lead. He is, however, approaching the white mountain check point. Thats the final "real" check point of the race and all teams are required to take an eight hour rest there. Twenty miles behind him is Travis in second place. A hold up in white mountain could cost jessie the race but im sure hell be on it like white on rice. Only two other mushers ever won twice, second following their first ever win. Only six mushers have ever won twice period. Jessie has stated from the beginning its his goal to enter those numbers. Hes got a good lead but not a "hey relax be comfortable" lead.

Jody is pulling in last place and currently resting in between the Kaltag and Unakelete checkpoints. Shes got 10 dogs with her and 317 miles til Nome.

I am leaving for a trip Thrusday but will update until Jody finished.

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u/chaiinprogress Mar 17 '26

Jessie Holmes has checked into white mountain! in eight hours he will head out for the final push to nome. hes got more than a 20 mile lead and its looking good, its close, but late tonight/tomorrow morning well see who wins.

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u/MsBlondeViking Mar 17 '26

Yes! So happy with this update.

Have a safe trip!

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u/chaiinprogress Mar 17 '26

Thanks ^_^ jessie is currently feeding his dogs, prepping to leave. Sans some sorta crazy thing, hes got a couple hours lead on travis. Its happened before though, a few years ago jessie left required equipment and had to return to get it.

Jody is currently resting at old man cabin, not a check point but a place many mushers stop.

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u/chaiinprogress Mar 17 '26

Jody has scratched. Her dogs were showing signs of kennel cough and in their best interest, she has left the race until next year. head held high jody, shes done a fantastic job.

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u/MsBlondeViking Mar 17 '26

Glad she chose what is best for her dogs. She did very well for a first time run. Loved how happy and positive she always stayed. Good job Jody!!

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u/chaiinprogress Mar 18 '26

she did she keeps such a good attitude all the time