2012 Iditarod Standings And Results: D.C.'s Jim Lanier In 43rd As Race Nears Takotna

On the fourth day of the 2012 Iditarod, the majority of the mushers have decided to take their 24-hour rest. Most, except for father and son Martin and Rohn Buser who had taken a slight lead. Well, they've sort of taken a slight lead because they both still need to take their 24-hour stop despite pushing past most of the other mushers and their lead as it stands doesn't mean much, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Martin arrived at 8:31 a.m. and left one minute later, a move that gives him the Iditarod lead.

But it comes with a big fat asterisk. [...]

The Busers still need to take their 24-hour layovers, so their status as race leaders doesn't mean much.

Ally Zirkle for all intents and purposes is the real race leader, being the first to make it to the Takotna after pulling through the checkpoint at 3:30 a.m. EST early Wednesday morning and was quickly joined by John Baker, Mitch Seavey, Jeff King, Dallas Seavey, Ray Redington, Jr., Paul Gebhardt and Hugh Neff. All arrived within three hours of Zirkle and most opted to take their mandatory 24-hour layover.

After the layover, the mushers will begin the 23-mile run to Ophir and then will turn north and making their way for the Yukon River.

D.C. native Jim Lanier is currently in 43rd place and is still on his way from McGrath to Takotna while Virginia native Dallas Seavey is clocking in at 7th place and already at the Takotna checkpoint.

For more on the 2012 Iditarod standings, be sure to stick to this StoryStream and SB Nation D.C.