NENANA, Alaska (AP) — Early ice melt has provided a record finish to an annual Alaska guessing game.

The Anchorage Daily News reported Sunday that the 2019 Nenana Ice Classic finished Sunday at 12:21 a.m. when a tripod mounted on the frozen Tanana River fell over, marking the end of the contest.

Officials say April 14 is six days earlier than the previous record of April 20.

Since 1917, area residents have purchased tickets recording guesses of the exact day and time when the ice under the marker would break up.

Officials say the winner will not be notified for a few weeks.

The newspaper reports that crowds gathered Saturday in the town about 57 miles (92 kilometers) southwest of Fairbanks to watch as it became clear the ice would soon break.

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Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com