NOME, AK – It’s called the last great race on Earth. The Iditarod Great Sled Race starts in Anchorage, covers 1000 miles and ends in Nome. After 9 days, 7 hours, 39 minutes and 56 seconds there’s a winner.
His name is Mitch Seavey and at age 53, he is the oldest to ever win the race.
Last year his son, 25-year-old Dallas, was the youngest to ever win. This family affair must seem like a conspiracy to second place finisher Aliy Zirkle, who’s trying to become the third woman to win the famed race.
Zirkle’s getting a little closer each year; she lost to Dallas by 60 minutes last year and Mitch by 24 minutes this year.
Enduring freezing conditions, deep snow, and treacherous situations might be worth it for a 600 thousand dollar purse, but the winner only gets $50,000 plus a new pickup truck. Second place’s take is about $47,000. The rest of the money will be split between the next 29 finishers. Call that the Eskimo way.
For a great sled race, the prize is a bit of a dog.
