The 2013 Iditarod: Loren Holmes Photography

Iditarod mushers and their dogs are preparing for this year's "last great race." The famous, long distance sled-dog event kicks off on March 1 in Anchorage, Alaska. For the past few years, Alaska Dispatch photographer Loren Holmes has captured the legendary race. Here are some of his highlights from the 2013 Iditarod.

Rudy Demoski Sr. crosses above Northern Lights Boulevard during the ceremonial start of the 2013 Iditarod.

A dog that was dropped in Rohn looks out the window of its plane ride home. Dogs are dropped by their musher for various reasons, from injury and fatigue to fighting, or just not keeping up with the rest of the team.

DeeDee Jonrowe's team is ready to hit the trail again after spending its 24-hour rest stop in Takotna.

Christine Roalofs struggles through a rutted trail in the woods along the notoriously difficult Dalzell Gorge.

Matt Failor leaves the Rohn checkpoint after his 24-hour rest stop. Each musher is required to take a 24-hour rest stop somewhere along the trail; the timing is often crucial to a musher's strategy.

Four-time champion Lance Mackey and his team near the top of Rainy Pass, the highest point on the historic Iditarod trail.

Mitch Seavey's headlamp creates a streak of light before dawn as he crosses the sea ice near Koyuk.

A musher makes his way up the Yukon river past the Eagle Island checkpoint. The river is a sparsely populated section of the trail.

Jake Berkowitz passes by an old truck on his way into Anvik during the 2013 Iditarod.

Aliy Zirkle arriving in White Mountain, 13 minutes behind leader Mitch Seavey. White Mountain is 77 miles from the finish line in Nome, and each musher must take a mandatory 8-hour rest stop here.