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AMBLER: Its been a busy night and morning here in Ambler with dog teams coming and going. And there is no shortage of spectators and food to greet the mushers.

The other checkpoints up the river, Shungnak and Kobuk, saw the teams only briefly but that doesn't stop them from being actively involved in the race. With terrific weather the event is an opportunity for people to be outside enjoying the arctic spring-time conditions. The locals in Kobuk put out a big spread of food. Colored Easter eggs were piled high soon to be hidden near the chute area for the children to enjoy an Easter egg hunt. .Before the mushers arrived in Shungnak, the chute was used by the community for foot races with races and prizes for all ages. When it was dark, flourescent night sticks were placed on the trail stakes in and out of Shungnak flickering like welcome luminaries.

The run to Selawik should be fast with Buser in the lead out of Ambler at 5:30am then an hour later Gebhardt, left. Iten, Mackey, Neff and Gould all left between 7:30am and 8am.

Mushers will travel on a hard-packed trail over rolling hills. The overflow conditions have been watched carefully and will also be a concern near Selawik. Conditions are good with a morning flat light and its warm with the temperature at about 20 degrees above with the possibility of snow. A north wind  is at about 10 will be on their backs when they travel.

There is still lots of room for changes in the lead. Selawik is a key checkpoint for decisions and we'll see who leaves out of there first. Look for the the first teams to arrive in to Selawik between 3pm and 5pm this afternoon.

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