The legendary Iditarod sled dog race is going ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic

    By Ben Church, CNN

    Updated 1429 GMT (2229 HKT) March 6, 2021

    <strong>The Iditarod: </strong>This famous dogsled race is named after the Iditarod Trail, an old mail and supply route traveled by dogsleds from Seward and Knik to Nome, Alaska.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    The Iditarod: This famous dogsled race is named after the Iditarod Trail, an old mail and supply route traveled by dogsleds from Seward and Knik to Nome, Alaska.
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    <strong>Nearly 1000 miles:</strong> The race can be up to 998 miles long, depending on whether the southern or northern route is being run.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    Nearly 1000 miles: The race can be up to 998 miles long, depending on whether the southern or northern route is being run.
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    <strong>An Alaskan tradition</strong>: The Iditarod has been an annual sporting event since 1973, bringing hundreds of spectators and mushers (competitors) from across the world.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    An Alaskan tradition: The Iditarod has been an annual sporting event since 1973, bringing hundreds of spectators and mushers (competitors) from across the world.
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    <strong>Alaskan Husky: </strong>The most popular breed of dog for the race is the Alaskan Husky, according to National Geographic.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    Alaskan Husky: The most popular breed of dog for the race is the Alaskan Husky, according to National Geographic.
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    <strong>Teams of dogs: </strong>There are 12 to 16 dogs on each team. At least five dogs must be in harness pulling the sled at the finish line.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    Teams of dogs: There are 12 to 16 dogs on each team. At least five dogs must be in harness pulling the sled at the finish line.
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    <strong>Health check:</strong> Veterinarians check over dogs at the Puntilla Lake checkpoint during the 2019 race.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    Health check: Veterinarians check over dogs at the Puntilla Lake checkpoint during the 2019 race.
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    <strong>Bundle up: </strong>Iditarod spectators must brave Alaskan weather to get a glimpse of their favorite teams.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    Iditarod – Bundle up: Iditarod spectators must brave Alaskan weather to get a glimpse of their favorite teams.
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    <strong>End of the line:</strong> The town of Nome is the end of the trail, where the famous Iditarod "burled arch" forms the finish line.
    Photos: Iditarod race
    End of the line: The town of Nome is the end of the trail, where the famous Iditarod "burled arch" forms the finish line.
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    (CNN)The Iditarod, Alaska's legendary long-distance sled dog race, is set to begin Sunday despite the threat of coronavirus.

    The route, usually almost 1,000 miles, has been modified to avoid most communities and will be roughly 100 miles shorter than usual.
    A reduced number of 47 mushers include 13 women and 12 rookies. They will line up in Willow, about 75 miles outside of Anchorage, before hitting a new out-and-back trail. The race usually ends in Nome.
      Joar Leifseth Ulsom, the 2018 champion, says pandemic protocols won't make much difference once the race begins.
        "It's not like we are very social people," Ulsom, one of this year's favorites, told Reuters. "We spend most of our time out with the dogs."
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        READ: A dog musher left stranded in Alaska hitches ride in historic plane
        Veteran musher Thomas Waerner won last year's race.
        Veteran musher Thomas Waerner won last year's race.