Last-place Iditarod musher withdrawn from running

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) A musher who was on track to be the last to finish Alaska's 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race this year has been withdrawn from the competition.

Iditarod officials say 55-year-old Ellen Halverson of Wasilla was withdrawn from the running Thursday afternoon at the Unalakleet checkpoint because of race rules dealing with competitiveness. Officials say both the musher and her dogs are in good health.

Unalakleet is 221 miles from the Nome finish line.

Mushers who haven't scratched or been withdrawn are allowed to continue to Nome, and the city welcomes each until the red lantern - carried by the last-place musher - arrives.

Halverson brought in the red lantern in 2007 and 2011, the only races she has completed.