ADN reporter Kyle Hopkins followed the mushers along the Iditarod trail and shot video throughout. Below is a collection of interviews with four-time defending champion Lance Mackey chronicling the ups and downs of his chances to win, the health of his dogs, and his overall demeanor as the rigors of the race take hold. Watch the progression.

March 7: Mackey in Rainy Pass: 'I'm comfortable at the front'

Lance Mackey at the arm-wrestling competition @ Breakers bar in Nome. Bob Hallinen/Anchorage Daily News. Mackey came in second.

Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.

Blessed with nearly ideal weather, the 2011 Iditarod saw 17 racers finish under 10 days, paced by John Baker’s record time of 8 days, 18 hours, 47 minutes.

In a way, the 10-day Iditarod has become the mushing equivalent of the 4-minute mile in track.

But before 1995, it never happened.

Doug Swingley of Montana, winner of the 1995 race, was the first under 10 hours. Swingley was a superb musher but he — and mushers who followed — benefited from a rule change, too.

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

Martin Buser, an early leader in this year's Iditarod, describes mistakes he made along the trail. But it wasn't necessarily going to fast, he said. Also: How does he feel about John Baker breaking his old speed record?

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

2011 Iditarod champion John Baker talks to reporters about his response to the Alaska Native drumming that met him at the finish line, and winning his first Iditarod after 15 years of top finishes.

Wednesday, 3:20 p.m. update
Ellen Halverson of Wasilla could be on the way to creating Iditarod history she’d just as soon avoid — the only two-time red lantern winner. The Big Lake psychiatrist, who moved here from North Dakota, earned that distinction in 2007, when she was last among 58 mushers.

Four-time Iditarod champ Jeff King of Denali Park is kicking off a speaking tour in September.

A competitive musher for 33 years, King has logged more than 150,000 miles on a dogsled. He's also an author, and now, a guest speaker.

“I look forward to this next chapter of my career,” King said in a press release from Ad Lynx, North America, which is coordinator his tour. “We’ve hosted over 100,000 visitors at the Husky Homestead over the past 20 years and I hope to reconnect with them on tour.”

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

Lance Mackey arrived in 16th place today at 8:55 a.m., saying he's rebuilding his sled dog team around new leader Wilson and looking ahead to 2012.

"The top 15 guys and some of the ones behind me have been trying to beat me for the last four years," Mackey said. "And they all got their shot at once.

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

Baker with Snickers (left) and Velvet (right)

Name: Velvet & Snickers
Eyes: Blue (Velvet), Brown (Snickers)
Age: 4 (Velvet), 6 (Snickers)
Position: Lead
Musher: John Baker, Kotzebue

“They ran last year’s race in lead all by themselves the whole way,” Baker said. “And this year I gave Velvet a break two times. For two runs. And other than that, they’ve run the race in lead all by themselves.

“Like People always talk about in our kennel, how lazy I am with the dogs, because I don’t have to do much. They do everything for me. They turn and they go wherever I want. However fast I want. They’re just really a pleasure to be with.”

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

Smyth broke the Iditarod speed record. On his birthday. And it still wasn't enough.

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

Kotzebue musher John Baker, moments after posting the fastest Iditarod time in history.

From Kyle Hopkins in Nome --

Smyth calls the trek into White Mountain his toughest run ever.

The office: Hitching a ride back to Nome with the talented Jill Burke and the Alaska Dispatch crew. A lot of stories are written on laptops in the air between villages. (Stephen Nowers/Alaska Dispatch photo)

Thanks guys! Pizza's on me tonight. -- Kyle

Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. update
With eight mushers having finished by 10 p.m. Tuesday, one thing was becoming clear: A new age of top Iditarod racers was upon us with fresh names in the upper echelon.

Behind first-time champion John Baker of Kotzebue came the likes of:

• Ramey Smyth, 35, of Willow, the runner-up with the second-fastest time in race history, 8 days, 19 hours, 51 minutes.

John Baker leaves the village of Golovin in first place Monday. (Bob Hallinen)

Monday, 5:35 p.m. update
Just 51 minutes will separate leader John Baker from chaser Ramey Smyth when the two return to the Iditarod trail between midnight and 1 a.m. Tuesday after a final rest in White Mountain.

Baker pulled into White Mountain at 4:03 p.m. as dozens of race fans cheered and waved welcome signs. Robert Lincoln, 31, was among them, with a “Playmaker Baker” sign.

Scruggs does not wish to wear shoes.

Name: Scruggs
Gender: Male
Age: 2
Weight: 43 pounds
Position: Team dog.
Musher: Allen Moore, Two Rivers

“I can’t believe he’s got all his booties on,” Moore said at the Unalakleet checkpoint as Scruggs nosed at the Velcro-strapped running “shoes” that protect dogs’ feet on the trail.

“When we stop for anything, he has his booties off within seconds.”

Scruggs is running well for a 2-year-old this Iditarod and may take a shot at lead by the end of the race, Moore said.

We met one of Scruggs’ siblings, Boondocks, on the team of Moore's wife, Aliy Zirkle, last week. The pair belong to a kind of Honky Tonk litter, including Willie, Waylon and Lester.

The rest of the “Meet the Sled Dogs” here. Our plan is to keep adding more daily.

From Beth Bragg in Anchorage --

Nothing against Tennessee musher James Bardoner, but news of his decision to scratch was silently cheered by at least two people here in the newsroom, including me.

After making it to Iditarod with all 16 of his dogs in harness, rookie James Bardoner of Signal Mountain, Tenn., scratched Sunday night.

Baronder, 62, said his decision was based on his assessment of the team's ability to continue up the trail.

Bardoner served as an Iditarod volunteer for four years before deciding to try the race himself. Four-time champion Doug Swingley of Montana helped train him.