they added race "classes" this time, bivy and self supported.
Its not clear who is actually participating in them as this is not included in the race roster, nor is hometown info.
In reading ( Jill outside) or watching accounts of these races from previous years, you can see how much these outposts facilitate many of the finishes, though things can go real bad in between them. That and the trail breakers for the irondog (before) and Iditarod dog sled ( tail end) make this race at all possible.
None the less, it is a spectacular setup for the best test of human fitness.
Its hard to get any updates for the current race, nothing on bikepacking.net this year, a few guessers on mtbr.
Last year there were volunteers posting FB accounts but don't know of any this year.
So yeh, Kate turning around at the mouth of Dalzell gorge, had to be some personal challenges going on there.
Self-Supported Category
- To qualify for the self-supported category, athletes must not enter any building or tent (other than a tent carried by the athlete) and must not accept food, lodging, or other assistance from a checkpoint, a commercial establishment or a private citizen during the race.
- Athletes may send drop bags and resupply from their own supplies at Finger Lake and Rohn.
Bivy Category
- To qualify for the bivy category, athletes must not sleep in any building or tent (other than a tent carried by the athlete).
- Athletes may use checkpoints and commercial establishments for all other purposes.
Every athlete who completes the 2021 ITI in either of these categories will be recognized in the final standings. Additional details can be found in the 2021 Athlete Guide.