After getting settled in for the journey, Rob Youngren has steadily advanced along the rugged, storied route of the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska.
Youngren began the journey Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at the starting point, Knik Lake near Anchorage, after departing Huntsville three days earlier.
As of 1 p.m. CST (Huntsville time) on Friday, Youngren was about 155 miles into the route. He was averaging about 32 miles per day. Weather always is a consideration in the Alaskan wilderness, especially in winter. At the McGrath Airport it was minus-29 degrees with calm conditions and visibility of 10 miles. Youngren was about 200 miles from the McGrath check-in, the terminus of the 350-mile portion of the ITI. In 2021, he completed the ITI 350, the event’s 350-mile trek, in 204 hours, 18 minutes. He’s in the Foot discipline, one of three that includes Biking and Skiing.
Iditarod Trail Invitational competitors are tracked by Spot Event Tracking satellite trackers, which provide updates every five minutes. This is done for safety, obviously, but also so loved ones and friends can monitor progress. Youngren’s wife, Kathy, also an accomplished ultrarunner, will be able to communicate with him periodically thanks to a satellite phone.
Youngren, who lives in Owens Cross Roads east of Huntsville, can be tracked here. All competitors can be tracked here.
Whether on foot, bike or skis, competitors must navigate through the Alaskan wilderness during its harshest time of the year. It follows the Iditarod Trail from Knik Lake to McGrath in the state’s interior and then to Nome. The trail was an important travel lifeline heavily utilized between 1880-1920 during the Alaska Gold Rush.
