Iditarod rookie Samantha LaLonde (bib #3) of Farmington Hills, Michigan, won Rookie of the Year when she and her team crossed under the Burled Arch in 15th place on March 16, at 2:20 a.m.
In the longest route in Iditarod history at 1,128 miles, LaLonde became the rookie with the best time in the race, finishing in 12 days, 14 hours, 20 minutes and 56 seconds with 9 dogs in harness.
Graduating from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management, LaLonde states, “My life-long love for dogs eventually led me to the racing world and here we are – rookie Iditarod!” LaLonde has been training with six-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey’s kennel in Talkeetna, Alaska, in preparation for her Iditarod debut,
The Rookie of the Year Award, presented by the Peldiak Family, comes with a beautiful trophy that will be presented at the Finisher’s Banquet, as well as an additional cash prize of $2,000.
