Going faster isn’t preferable since going too fast can cause muscle injuries on dogs, mushers say.

Source: https://alaskapublic.org/2023/03/10/on-yukon-river-iditarod-teams-recuperate-from-early-bruises-and-strategize-big-moves/

In addition to food and transportation costs, mushers must take time off from work to train and compete.

Source: https://alaskapublic.org/2023/01/26/five-indigenous-mushers-set-to-compete-in-2023-iditarod-despite-rising-costs/

Leaving the prior checkpoint of Rohn, mushers steeled themselves for what Iditarod officials described as the worst moguls in the history of the race, comparing the stretch to a washboard with 4-foot-high bumps.

Source: https://alaskapublic.org/2023/03/07/how-bad-were-the-iditarod-trail-moguls-depends-who-you-ask/

Mackey was chosen by his fellow mushers to win the Most Inspirational Musher award, which gives him a free entry into next year’s race.

Source: http://www.nomenugget.net/news/mackey-takes-red-lantern-iditarod-comes-end