ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The husband of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is competing in a 2,000-plus-mile snowmobile race.

Todd Palin is a four-time champion of the Iron Dog, which began Sunday with 31 two-person teams at Big Lake, north of Anchorage. One team has since scratched.

Race director Kevin says this year’s total purse is expected to match last year’s record of $202,500.

Todd Palin last won in 2007. He and racing partner Scott Davis were among the top 10 teams as of Monday afternoon.

Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, posted photos of Todd Palin and their son, Trig, on Facebook Monday.

She says an "intense race week begins for motorheads who love the cold and snow up North!"

The race ends in Fairbanks.