The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the most popular event in Alaska. It is an annual long-distance sled dog race run from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska in early March. The Iditarod began in 1973 as an event to test the best dog sled mushers and teams and has evolved into today’s highly competitive race. Mushers and a team of 12-16 dogs, of which at least 6 must be on the towline at the finish line must cover the 1,000 mile distance in 9-15 days.

On March 4th, sixty-six sled dog teams began the race and 9 days, 4 hours and 29 minutes later, Dallas Seavey earned the enviable bragging rights to call himself the youngest musher to win the Iditarod. Ironically, Seavey celebrated his 25th birthday on March 4th, the start of the race. Rick Swenson was the previous youngest winner, who set the record in 1977 at the age of 26. He can also claim the fame of being a five-time champion of the great race.

When Seavey won this incredible journey, he briefly greeted his friends and family at the famous burled-arch finish line and then immediately put his arms around the dogs that had brought him there. “They mean the world to me. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys. It’s hard to not come to tears when they finally crossed under this arch in first place.”

Dallas Seavey is a former Alaska high school wrestling champion who also spent a year at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Dallas is described by his father, Mitch Seavey as, “fiercely competitive.” Mitch won the race in 2004 and was racing in seventh place when Dallas crossed the finish line on March 13th. To make this a total family affair, this year’s race was the fifth Iditarod for Dallas’ grandfather, Dan Seavey.