Skwentna News

Anna Berington walks Stormy at left and Kristy Berrington walks Blue Thursday in Takotna.

Dan Seavey prepares to leave the Skwentna, Alaska, checkpoint of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Monday, March 5, 2012.

If you are viewing this on a device that does not support flash, visit http://www.adn.com/2012/03/05/v-gallery2/2353266/2012-iditarod-day-2.html Throughout Iditarod 39, we'll be profiling the real athletes of the race.

If you want evidence of just how tough the going is in this year's Iditarod Trail Invitational, consider that Fairbanks cyclist Jeff Oatley bailed out of the race on Wednesday.