700 mile

We were at faraway remote villages to photograph checkpoints of Iditarod race. I swear, the best experience comes when you are on distant checkpoints. Experiencing Iditarod with only Willow or Ceremonial Day races without checkpoints is nothing. The real Iditarod is on the trail, not on start nor finish.
I cannot get over how amazing experience was in remote areas. Far away from civilization.

As I've been and witnessed in many mushing events, participated, handled and so on, I've seen dogs crossing the finish line after run and resting... but on Iditarod, I've never seen such exhausted dogs! As soon as they crossed the checkpoint line, stopped for break they instantly went to sleep. They were so tired that...

... that's right, these dogs ran 700+ miles at that moment. Here how a dog after 700 miles looks like.

I really admire the legendary, wonderful stamina of these athletic animals. I can also tell that they really enjoy that run. That was so beautiful for me to watch them for couple hours, observe and feel them that I almost cried.