2025 Iditarod Restart Moves to Fairbanks

Updated February 27, 2025; 5:10 pm

*New details about Parking, Transportation and Shuttles

The 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, also known as "The Last Great Race," is now scheduled to run from Fairbanks to Nome. March 3, 2025, marks the fourth time in history that the Iditarod will restart in Fairbanks. The Iditarod Trail Committee made the announcement on February 17, 2025, after conditions on some portions of the trail south of Fairbanks were deemed unpassable. 

Race details: The race will start at 11 a.m. Monday, March 3, from Hoselton Road in front of Pike's Landing. Teams will leave from the road and immediately cross down onto the Chena River under the Pike’s archway. There are a total of 33 teams in this year’s race leaving in two-minute intervals, meaning all mushers should leave the starting line in a little over an hour.

Pets: Do NOT brings dogs or other animals to the start.

Road Closures: Traffic access to the airport, Dale Rd and the surrounding areas will remain open. The only road closure will be the turn off to Hoselton Rd from Airport Way (at Pike's Landing). 

To accommodate race fans and spectators and to minimize traffic congestion, Explore Fairbanks and the Fairbanks North Star Borough, in conjunction with the Iditarod Trail Committee, are offering shuttle bus service from the Carlson Activity Center to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race restart on Monday, March 3, 2025.

The public can view the Iditarod restart from several locations. Taking the shuttle bus from Carlson Center to Pike’s Landing, there will be limited spectator viewing areas near the race start. Other public viewing areas will be at the Tanana Wayside Campground, located past the Pump House on Chena Pump Road.

Be aware that there is no provision for personal vehicle parking in the vicinity of the start – all spectators planning to attend should plan to use the Carlson Center shuttle to avoid traffic congestion and dangerous situations for race participants and spectators.

Complimentary Iditarod shuttle bus schedule from the Carlson Center

Departures: Volunteers needing transportation to Pike’s Landing are strongly encouraged to catch a ride from the Carlson Center beginning at 8 am. The shuttle buses will be in the front parking lot of the Carlson Center and will depart when full. Boarding the buses will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The Carlson Center will be open with coffee service and restroom facilities will be available while spectators wait to board the buses.

Returns: It will take the shuttle buses approximately 45 minutes to make the full run from the Carlson Center to the Pike’s Landing and return to the Carlson Center. The shuttle buses will run from 8 am until 2 pm.

Services available at the race:

• Pike’s Landing Restaurant will be open at 8 am for people to use the restroom and the restaurant will be open beginning at 9 am to serve food and beverages.
• Pike’s Waterfront Lodge will also have restrooms and coffee and tea available throughout the duration of the race.
• The Iditarod Headquarters already have a merchandise area setup in the hotel that will be open through Monday.
• Explore Fairbanks will have an information table in the hotel Monday, March 3 from 8 am to 2 pm where spectators can pick up their special “Iditarod Certificate” as well as regional visitor information. The “Iditarod Certificate” will also be available at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center at 101 Dunkel Street, open seven days a week from 8am to 5pm.