Icewind's Ramblings

If you love what you do you'll never work another day in your life. Congratulations Lance Mackey, 2007 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion! Ice Photos by Al Grillo with AP

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

Day 10 of the 2007 “Last Great Race on Earth” has all the magic of NASCAR, the sportsmanship of the NBA, the ‘class’ of The Masters, and the grit of human spirit and excellence not found in many sports. The true ‘stars’ of this Iditarod are the dogs . . . they love to run . . . and run. They have the heart of champions each and every one no matter where they stand in the order of things. They battle . . . each other . . . the elements . . . the terrain . . . and when the day or night is done . . . they rest soundly in the contentment of a job well done. The amazing race of the Iditarod is that these dogs at the end of a long day’s trail are happy and look ready to continue even after the toughest conditions on earth. Photo by Bob Hallinen Anchorage Daily News Even the human competitors have a toughness not seen in other sports. Most Sunday’s for a few hours there are those who drive a car for 500 miles on a mostly round track, some with high banked walls a