It looks like the total loop adds 329 miles, so taking it out completely would've made it pretty short. But maybe they could've turned the loop around sooner? (1/2)
There were no great options, and I know they wanted to include the two villages. But it was totally predictable that longer and the day later start would mean the race would overrun their budgets for time, money and volunteers. They made a decision that catered only to the front of the pack.
But they could have turned the slowest teams around in the loop. Yes that would have given these teams a shorter route, but I figure getting to Nome would have been a happier outcome for everyone.
I know in 2021 the whole route was out and back, so skipping the lollipop loop I'm Anvik and Shageluk should've been possible, but I don't know what the infrastructure of the big loop checkpoints look like. (2/2)
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