Some of the Iditarod awards are for arriving first at a checkpoint like the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award, the GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award or the Feast on the Yukon. Other awards are bestowed based on actions or skill demonstrated during the race. Various groups nominate and decide on recipients for these awards. The stories behind these “chosen” awards were shared by the recipients during the presentation. Here is the rest of the story.
Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome
Travis Beals and Nicolas Petit covered the 22 mile distance in 2 hours and 44 minutes. In the spirit of Iditarod, the tie was broken by the nose of the first lead dog to cross the finish line. Petit is a five time winner of the award. The Smyth family, including father Bud and sons Ramey and Cim have claimed the award 14 years. Rick and Lance have won the award in 7 races for the Mackey family. Travis received a check for $500.
Most Improved Musher
Mushers Bailey Vitello and Lauro Eklund both improved 12 places from their previous Iditarod runs. Vitello to 5th from 17th and Eklund from to 14th from 26th. Each musher received $2,000 in cash and a commemorative trophy.
Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award
Nicolas Petit was chosen by his fellow mushers as the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for helping fellow competitors along the trail with booting and other chores while nursing his own injured right arm. Petit also found Ryan Redington’s cell phone outside of Elim and delivered it to him in Nome. Nicolas received a check for $3,000 and a plaque.
Hilcorp Alaska Most Inspirational Musher Award
Calvin Daugherty was chosen by his peers as the most inspirational musher. Daugherty had to scratch in Shaktoolik in last year’s race. He returned this year because of his love for dogs and completed the race admitting that there were sections of the trail that roused emotions and disappointment from last year. Calvin receives a paid entry fee for the 2026 Iditarod.
Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Award
As a person who emulates “Herbie” the Shishmaref Cannon Ball in his or her attitude on the trial, Matt Hall was chosen by race staff and officials in the coastal checkpoints to receive this honor. Herbie, a musher’s musher, was known for his smile, enthusiasm, competitiveness, sportsmanship, indomitable spirit, dog care and willingness to share the sport with young mushers. To be like Herbie is a real compliment. Hall received a Northern Air Cargo Jacket with $1,049 dollars in pocket change and handmade gifts from Herbie’s family.
Golden Clipboard Award
Grayling Checkpoint, visited twice during the 2025 race, was chosen by the Iditarod Official Finishers as the checkpoint the mushers felt was the most helpful along the trail.
Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award – Pike Dog Wellness First Initiative
Paige Drobny, the 3rd place finisher, was honored with the Humanitarian Award. Paige finished with 11 dogs in harness. This recognition means more to mushers than winning the race. The award goes to a musher who finishes in the top twenty. The winning musher is determined by a combination of votes from trail veterinarians and independent scoring of the teams by three veterinarians in Nome who assess the athletes on hydration, attitude, body weight and gait. Paige, tearful as she accepted, receives a trophy and a paid entry fee for 2026 Iditarod.
City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award
Lolly Medley, Wasilla Harness maker and one of only two women to run the second Iditarod in 1974, began presenting a golden harness to an outstanding lead dog chosen by the mushers in 1977. The award, presented by the City of Nome, continues in her memory. Polar and Arctic, 5-year-old Leaders for Champion Jessie Holmes received the harnesses. Holmes says they love and care for their whole pack.
Northern Air Cargo 4-wheeler Drawing
Every finisher attending the Sunday evening banquet has the opportunity to win a 4-wheeler by drawing a key and trying to start the vehicle. Matthew Failor’s 2-year-old son, Theo, reached into the container and picked the winning key.
Nome Kennel Club Howard Farley Sr. Memorial Award
This award presented in memory of Howard Farley, Sr., honors perseverance on the trail. All finishers who are below 20th place are entered to win $500. With 22 finishers, Dane Baker and Ebbe Pederson were in the drawing, a 50/50 chance. Ebbe Pedersen is the winner.
For a complete list of 2025 musher awards from Honorary Musher to Red Lantern, click the link or go to the Race Center pulldown menu, select Content then Special Awards.
