Mackey, King, begin last 269 miles up the Alaska coast in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Mackey, King begin dash up coast in Iditarod

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is turning into a two-man contest between former champions Lance Mackey and Jeff King.

Defending champion Mackey was first to the Alaska coast, reaching Unalakleet (YOU’-nah-la-kleet) at 3:32 a.m. Sunday.

After resting just more than six hours, he was off again, on his way to Shaktoolik (shack-TOO’-lick) 40 miles away.

Mackey left with a 28-minute lead over four-time champion Jeff King, who reached Unalakleet at 6:29 a.m. and left after resting 3 hours, 47 minutes.

Unalakleet is 269 miles from the finish in Nome. The 1,100-mile race began in Anchorage.

Huff Neff and Hans Gatt also reached Unalakleet on Sunday morning.

For reaching the coast first, Mackey won a gold cup and $2,500 in gold nuggets.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Defending champion Lance Mackey is first into Unalakleet, nearly two-thirds of the way into the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Global satellite positioning information provided by the race shows Mackey reached the town on the edge of Norton Sound at 3:32 a.m. Sunday. He was followed by four-time winner Jeff King, who arrived at 6:29 a.m.

King had been leading, but Mackey pulled ahead after the front-runners left the Kaltag checkpoint Saturday.

The 1,100-mile race began in Anchorage and ends in Nome.