The headlamp was visible for some distance. The light and the musher wearing it made steady progress toward the checker holding the clipboard. John Baker and eleven dogs marched into the Unalakleet checkpoint 5:04 Sunday morning. He was officially greeted by checker, Doug Katchatag and heartily welcomed by a few hundred villagers, family, friends as well as injured fellow musher Mitch Seavey.

After feeding and bedding his dogs down, John made his way inside the checkpoint where eggs, bacon and pancakes were being served up by Unalakleet Mayer, Middy Johnson. John ate a hearty breakfast then went to one of the small rooms reserved for sleepy mushers asking for a 7:30 wake up call. John was quoted earlier in the race saying that he and is dogs would be ready to race once they hit the Yukon River. His two-hour lead reinforces that claim as he’s been running on the river since leaving Ruby. Baker says that mushing has given him a lifestyle that he’s comfortable with. He likes competition and with his current team, racing is even more fun.

This is a proud moment for the Inupiat of the coast to have one of their own leading the race. Elder Sheldon Katchetag welcomed John. Sheldon was wearing a traditional parky along with mitts and mukluks made of polar bear. The drum he carried and played was a birthday gift from his son. Sheldon briefly danced and drummed to receive team Baker at the coast.

Born to Run,
Sanka