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Race officials have begun tracing who Johnson may have had close contact with over the last 300 miles of trail and multiple checkpoints.

Gunnar Johnson of Minnesota tested positive for COVID-19 at the checkpoint in McGrath, near race mile 310, more than a third of the way into the Iditarod.

Zirkle was flown to the Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage and has since been released from the hospital.

Hundreds of sled dogs and 46 mushers left the Iditarod starting line at the Deshka Landing boat launch on a sunny and clear afternoon.

There’s required testing and face masks, plus a shorter trail and a smaller group of mushers signed up to compete.

On Saturday, Israel Hale became the first disabled competitor to ever finish the full 2,600-mile Iron Dog race.