Next Stop: Fairbanks

The Black Team left the Two Rivers checkpoint right on time at 10.31pm.

The eight hour layover was used to good effect with both musher and team getting good rest, good food and psyching up for the final push to the finish line. The exit wasn't pretty; there were a great deal of people lining the trail making it a bit confusing for Quito and Olivia to lead out but with Allen taking the lead they were soon on their way. At this stage it doesn't have to be pretty - just effective! These dogs know this trail well as Allen has run from this checkpoint to the finish line a few times this season.

You will notice he put neck-lines on a few of the dogs, this will be simply to keep them focussed on the task at hand.

I'm not sure if the video conveys the tension in the air; it really was palpable and continued through while Hugh Neff left 16 minutes later.

So, who's sleeping tonight?