Iditarod Champion says, “Life just changed!”

The first musher passed under the burled archway in Nome Alaska tonight winning the Iditarod XXXV Trail Sled Dog Race. Lance Mackey made his way into town and ran alongside his team down Front Street finishing the 1,100 mile race in 9 days, 8 minutes, and 41 seconds since leaving Anchorage.

Photo by Bob Hallinen with the Anchorage Daily News

Hundreds of fan lined the way cheering the dogs and Mackey as the sun was setting over the Bering Sea. Mackey lit up this historic, old gold-mining town as he feasted on the thrill of Iditarod victory. He had stopped just outside of town several times as he was greeted by fans out on the sea ice as helicopters circled overhead. The dogs anxious to finish their run were jubilantly barking and ready to complete the last half mile into town.

Lance with his fists into the air, pointing to the lucky number 13 bib on his chest, and waving or giving ‘high fives’ to the large crowd. There was also that scruffy smile on the tired face but you could hardly tell from his excitement the extent of what all of the mushers had gone through on the trail.

Claiming his first victory in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race just 20 days after finishing and winning the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race largely with the same dogs which no one thought it could be done.

“This is a dream I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little boy,’’ he said.

It is now a dream come true. The #13 bib Mackey wore was the same number both his father and half-brother Rick had worn to victory before him. Each of them won the Iditarod on their sixth try. The hard training and calculated plan came together as this was Lance’s sixth try.

In an Iditarod marked by furious winds and horrible trail conditions, and extreme conditions the celebration started in Nome for Mackey but the race is far from over. There are still over 60 mushers on different parts of the trail who will continue for several more days until they finish under the arch or decide to scratch somewhere along the trail.

Everyone is a winner here. As Mackey kept repeating several times during post race interviews, the dogs were the true heroes in this race as he was a mere passenger. I think it shows the leadership of a man to his team that seemed willing to continue another thousand miles if their owner asked.

Well Fargo Bank presented Lance a large check for $ 69,000.00 and Anchorage Chrysler Dodge awards a 2007 Dodge Ram Laramie. The truck, valued at $40,980, will look pretty, he said, beside the four ugly diesels parked in his driveway.

Congratulations Lance Mackey for an exciting run this year and a thumbs up to everyone who competed this year as you are all winners.

To the sponsors who support this unique adventure, thanks for making the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race the success that it is and it will continue to be “The Last Great Race on Earth”.

Ice

Conditions on the trail you ask? Yep, now that’s COLD!