updated 7:32 p.m. ET March 20, 2009

NOME, Alaska - A fifth dog has died during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

An 8-year-old male named Omen in musher Rick Larson’s team died early Friday on the trail between the Elim and White Mountain checkpoints.

At least three dogs died in each of the last two races, and at least four died during the 2006 race.

Omen’s death came a day after a 5-year-old male named Maynard, on the team of Canadian musher Warren Palfrey, died about an hour outside of the finish line at Nome.

Iditarod spokesman Chas St. George says tests will be performed on the dogs to determine the cause of death.

Meanwhile, 26 mushers remain on the trail of the 1,100-mile race, which started March 8 near Anchorage. Lance Mackey of Alaska won this third consecutive Iditarod title on Wednesday.

MORE FROM OTHER SPORTS

Other sports Section Front

The most important black athlete in existence the Grio: 100 black history-makers in the making Andrews stalker had 16 other victims, feds say 17 years later, Jones and Hopkins to fight again Roddick’s wife on cover of SI swimsuit issue   Video: SI's swimsuit issue is big business Pac-10 giving ‘serious evaluation’ to expansion Riley, Conradt on Hall of Fame Board of Governors Globetrotters play game on ice rink in New York Afghanistan hopes to defeat America - in cricket Other sports Section Front   Add Other sports headlines to your news reader: