Bjorn Keller crosses the 2019 Jr. Iditarod finish line at the Willow Community Center

The 2019 Jr. Iditarod has officially come to an end with the safe and successful arrival of all seven mushers. Last night, the mushers spent their night at Yentna Station. Whenever a musher approached the entrance to the checkpoint, you could hear someone yell, “dog team!” This quickly alerted everyone to prepare for the musher’s arrival. Once the dog team was parked, the race marshal would ensure that the musher was doing well and he would also verify that all of the mandatory gear was present in the sled. The time keeper carefully noted when the musher entered and then the musher was promptly told when he/she could leave the next morning. After these steps were completed, the musher would tend to the needs of every dog, set up camp, eat, spend some time sharing stories about the trail with the other mushers, and if lucky, attempt to get some sleep. 

The first musher to leave Yentna Station was Anna Stephan at 04:48:00. Not only was she the first one to leave this checkpoint, she also steadily increased the distance between her and the rest of the mushers. Anna ended up finishing the race after spending 16 hours, 39 minutes, and 46 seconds on the trail. Thus, Anna is officially the 2019 Jr. Iditarod Champion! Second place finisher, Anna Coke, arrived to the finish line approximately two hours and twenty minutes after Anna Stephan. The rest of the mushers trickled into the finish line within hours after her arrival. Johanna Badalich was the last finisher and earned the honorary Red Lantern Award which symbolizes her perseverance that she showed throughout the entire race.  

Johanna Badalich earns this year’s Red Lantern Award

Later in the evening, the mushers were recognized and acknowledged by a large crowd of family, friends, and fans, at the Jr. Iditarod banquet. This celebration was held at the Willow Community Center. After enjoying a bountiful meal, the mushers were given various trophies, specials awards, and scholarships. The Sportsmanship Award, given to someone who exhibits tremendous sportsmanship, was given to Grace Hill. The Humanitarian Award, given to the musher who has gone above and beyond to care for their dogs, was awarded to Ida Kohnert. On top of those and other awards, every musher received a great 5-gallon-gift-bucket that was filled with items to help out on future travels down the trail. 

The 2019 Jr. Iditarod was an enormous success. Every musher showed their incredible talent, their ability to traverse the challenging terrain, their tremendous care for their dogs, and their commendable work ethic! It will be great to see what the future holds for all of these successful Jr. Iditarod mushers.

Enjoy some pictures from the 2019 Jr. Iditarod:

Grace Hill poses with her Sportsmanship Award

Barb Redington gives Anna Coke her 2nd Place trophy and a $4,000 scholarship

Johanna Badalich leaving Yentna Station after a 10-hour layover

Grace Hill approaching the finish line

Bjorn Keller wearing his new hat that was given to him at the Jr. Iditarod Banquet

Anna Stephan, 2019 Jr. Iditarod Champion, wins a sled, gear, and a $6,000 scholarship

Anna Coke embraces her dogs after finishing the race

Cassidy Meyer receives her 5th Place trophy and a $1,500 scholarship

Ida Kohnert nearing the end of the race with her team

Bjorn Keller with his eyes on the finish line

Cassidy Meyer makes her way down the trail

early morning at Yentna Station

Ida Kohnert, recipient of the 2019 Jr. Iditarod Humanitarian Award