Like any bride-to-be, Keilah Redman expected to have some challenges as her March 14 wedding date approached. She did not expect the Iditarod sled dog race to be one of those challenges. Redman, a 2000 graduate of Bath High School who now lives in Galena, Alaska, learned on Feb. 10 that this year's race course had changed due to a lack of favorable conditions for the sled dog teams. Instead, the course was moved to include Galena, which is a checkpoint during even years only. "I had actually just got my dress in the mail the day before and was getting it fitted and checked out by friends when I got a text saying they moved the route so it is going through Galena," said Redman.
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"I was a little nervous about this change. I thought having the wedding on the odd year in Galena would be safe since the Iditarod is supposed to come through Galena on the even years. I knew God had a plan though and whatever was meant to happen would happen." The Iditarod begins March 7 with a ceremonial start in Anchorage, followed by a relaunch from Fairbanks on March 9. The race will cover 975 miles before ending in Nome. Redman, who teaches math and physical education in a Galena elementary school, became engaged to Jeremy Havener in November and they chose March 14, or Pi Day, as the wedding date. For the reception the couple reserved the Galena Community Center, which is used as the checkpoint headquarters when the Iditarod moves through the village of 470 people, located roughly between Nome and Fairbanks in central Alaska. Galena officials and residents offered solutions, including having the wedding earlier in the week, moving the reception to Fairbanks, some 300 miles away, or allowing the Iditarod committee to use the center through Friday night with the reception still taking place on Saturday. "That would have been more difficult on the Iditarod Galena crew," said Redman. "We also could have held it at the school gym, but it would have been a dry reception. That could have been OK, but not what either of us planned on." Galena mayor and musher Jon Korta told the Alaska Dispatch News that the new location, about 3 miles from the community center and near the airport, is not as centrally located and may make it more challenging for the community to reach. However, the new arrangement has a dorm-like setup for mushers, including beds if racers choose to use them. "It'll be plush," said Korta told the Dispatch News late last month. "Maybe too nice." Redman said she would have been willing to move her wedding location if need be but she was happy that the location remains the same. "I was also excited because Jeremy and I both have family that will be coming up from the lower 48, so I thought it would be neat for them to be able to experience the race," said Redman. "A wedding reception in the village is kind of an open invitation type thing," said Redman. "We are doing a cover dish/potlatch style supper with a band playing from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. I am expecting around 150, maybe 200, people, but it is hard to say since there has not been a wedding reception here since our flood in 2013." More info: formal dresses adelaide