Freeman holds lead in Yukon Quest

EAGLE (AP) -- Musher Joran Freeman of Fairbanks was holding on to a healthy lead Wednesday in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.

Freeman reached the Eagle checkpoint, 410 miles into the race, at 4:42 a.m.

His nearest competitors were more than two hours behind.

Thomas Tetz of Carcross, Yukon reached Eagle at 7:01 a.m. Peter Butteri of Tok and William Kleedehn of Carcross both arrived at 7:03 a.m. Hans Gatt of Atlin, British Columbia arrived in Eagle at 8:46 a.m.

A large pack of mushers, at least 16, were making the 10o-mile run from Slaven's Cabin to Eagle early Wednesday.

Eagle is the last checkpoint in Alaska. From there, the mushers have a 150-mile run down the Yukon River to Dawson

Thirty-four mushers remain in the 1,000-mile race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse.

The first to reach Whitehorse will collect $30,000.