Dallas Seavey, the 25-year-old musher who calls Willow home, and is third generation Iditarod sledder had the trail alone with his dogs for a while this morning. He pulled out and headed for his last day of mushing in the 2012 Iditarod well in the lead. He departed from White Mountain, the last layover in the race at 8:22 this morning.

He was followed out of White Mountain by Aliy Zirkle one hour and three minutes later at 9:25. Zirkle doesn’t think a first place win is in the cards for her this year. She stated last night that she is on the defensive for her second place finish. Her concern is behind her and gaining fast. She is going to give it one heck of a try though.

Ramey Smyth was off to the trail at 10:17 am, exactly 8 hours after pulling in to the layover at White Mountain. Leaving one dog behind, he is completing the race with 9, the same number as the leader, Seavey. He has catapaulted to the front runners very quickly in the last third of the race and is figured to gain alot more time as this race fiishes off today.

At the current pace, the race should finish off at around six this evening.