The Finish

Tuesday night, March 12, 2013 at 22:39 Alaska Time, Mitch Seavey crossed the finish line in Nome to become the winner of the 41st Iditarod. It was his second time to win the race.  Aliy Zirkle finished about 30 minutes behind him.  She had run an inspiring race, leaving the White Mountain checkpoint only 12 minutes behind Seavey with a team that looked strong.  However, she just couldn't seem to make the time to overtake the leader.  This is the second year she has come in second behind a Seavey.  Last year she followed Mitch's son Dallas over the finish line.

The Seavey's are a racing dynasty and nice guys.  Mitch commented at the White Mountain checkpoint, that although he was Aliy's friend and would never be unfair, she would have to beat him because he was going in to Nome.  It is a small world of mushers and most of them are close friends as well as rivals.  For example, DeeDee Jonrowe, who finished 10th, was seen giving Aliy a big hug and a warm send off from the last checkpoint.

The Seaveys have been competing in Iditarods as long as there have been Iditarods.  Mitch's father, Dan Seavey was one of the original organizers and first mushers of the race.  He has run the race several times and his son, Mitch, was raised on the racing tradition.  Last year Dan ran the race to commemorate the fortieth running of the Iditarod and the 100 years of the Iditarod National Historic Trail at the age of 74.  He had a wonderful time, handing out publicity information on the Iditarod and visiting with everyone along the way.  Remember this wasn't just a victory lap, but 1000 miles of grueling territory with blizzards and extreme cold.

Last year he also arrived at the finish line to learn that his grandson, Dallas, had become the youngest to win the Iditarod, at 24. This year Dallas followed his father into Nome finishing fourth.  Dallas, who is the father of a 2 year old daughter, is married to a former Iditarod musher, Jen.  One day we may see his daughter cross the finish line in the Seavey tradition. 

Mitch, by the way, is the oldest, at 53 to win the race.  What a family of firsts!

Why do I get so excited about this race.  Not only is it a fascinating bit of history but it is an athletic competition that knows no boundaries.  In a world where we watch 19 year olds make millions of dollars in sports only to have their career considered "over" at 35 it's encouraging to see a competition where age and sex aren't a disadvantage.  Where, in fact, having a little age and experience is a help.  We're not talking dominoes here either--this is an event that requires the utmost in endurance, fitness, and courage.  This is an extreme sport in every sense of the word.  It's a sport where it is man (or woman) and the team pitted against the worst that nature can throw at them.  An elemental competition. 

What a victory, Mitch.  Congratulations from all of us armchair mushers and thanks for the wonderful experience.