Welcome to Alaska!

Featured here are Lil and Manny Wrase near the start of the annual Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI), the world’s longest-running winter ultra-marathon. It is here that a determined group of athletes sets out from Knik Lake to traverse the historic trail on foot, fat bike, or skis. The event offers two primary challenges: a 350-mile journey over the rugged Alaska Range to the interior village of McGrath, and the ultimate 1,000-mile odyssey that continues all the way to the finish line in Nome. These competitors must be entirely self-sufficient, hauling all their own survival gear through some of the harshest winter conditions on the planet. Adding a personal touch to the trail's history, the iconic moose antlers adorning the Iditarod sign were donated by Manny several years ago. These impressive antlers were a trophy from a successful hunt in McGrath shared by Manny and his brother, now serving as a permanent landmark for racers and fans alike.