Eye on the Trail: Aliy makes a Quartet in Nome

Posted by in Iditarod
Date: March 13, 2019 8:08 pm

Aliy Zirkle is the fourth musher to finish Iditarod XLVII.  The sun is breaking through the clouds but strong easterly winds and newly fallen snow continues to combine for drifting on the trail from Safety.  

Aliy takes 4th in Iditarod XLVII

With today, Aliy has started and finished Iditarod 19 times.  Her best finishes have been a trio of runner-up spots in 2012, 13 and 14. Aliy remained in the top ten by placing 5th, 3rd and 8th over the next three years. She finished the race in 15th position in 2018.  So in 7 of the past 8 years, Aliy has finished in the top ten.

Coming down Front Street in Nome is much like traveling the Farewell Burn and the trail between Ophir and Iditarod.  It’s mostly bare ground with a few patches of snow but it doesn’t have the dreaded tussocks. Aliy jogged over a mile beside her sled, hopping on when coming to a patch of snow/slush.

Aliy Takes the Mic at the Burled Arch

At the Arch, Aliy took the mic and thanked her fans and sponsors for all the support and encouragement. In the chute to meet Aliy were DeeDee Jonrowe, Monica Zappa and Jessie Royer.  Aliy congratulated Peter Kaiser, Joar Leifseth Ulsom and Jessie Royer.      

Aliy has been an icon of exemplary dog care over the years.  She’s received Iditarod’s Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award in 2005, ’11, ’16 and ’18.  Over her Iditarod career, she’s collected two First to the Coast Awards in Unalakleet presented by Wells Fargo, a Fish First Award in Kaltag presented by Bristol Bay Native Corporation and a Spirit of Alaska Award in McGrath presented by PenAir. This year Zirkle collected the GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award in Iditarod.

As a young woman in her 20’s, Aliy moved to Alaska.  Marathon mushing was the farthest thing from her mind.  She loved the bush lifestyle and decided she’d like someone to share it with.  Skunk, a 9 year-old husky became Aliy’s constant companion and best friend.  It’s not hard to imagine how Aliy’s non-existent kennel grew from only Skunk to include five other adult dogs.  This six-dog team provided Aliy with the opportunity to explore and camp in the wilderness.

After testing the water of racing with short races, Aliy was hooked on the competition and camaraderie. When she turned to distance mushing, Aliy focused on the Yukon Quest, running in ’98, ’99 and Y2K.  In 2000 Aliy became the first and only woman to ever win the Quest.  In 2001, she shifted her focus to Iditarod and has been an annual participant since then. 

Aliy and her husband, Allen Moore, own/operate SP Kennel as a joint venture.  They chose the name to honor Skunk.  SP comes from Skunk’s Place.  Aliy, Allen and various sponsors are involved in numerous community service efforts.  Most of the SP Kennel projects focus on the youth of Alaska.

Much of the above information has come from the SP Kennel Website.  Please visit to learn more about the SP mushers, the SP Dogs and how the entire SP family serves the youth of rural Alaska.