A number of the Iditarod awards are given to the first musher arriving at a checkpoint. These awards include the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Alaska Award, the GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award, the Feast on the Yukon, BBNC Fish First, Ryan Air Gold Coast and Northrim’s Achieve more award. Lynden’s committed Through the Last Mile Red Lantern Award goes to the final musher finishing the race.
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. These stories behind the awards are the human interest part of Iditarod. If the bond between mushers and dogs is the best part of the race, then these stories would be a close second.
Nome Kennel Club Fastest time Safety to Nome
The award goes to the musher in the top one-third of the finishers with the fastest run time from Safety to Nome. In general, mushers experienced a fairly strong headwind while covering the 22 miles from Safety to Nome. Very few times were below three minutes. Those who did complete the 22 miles in under 3 minutes were Brenda Mackey 2:48 (26th), Joey Sabin 2:56, (23rd) Kevin Hansen 2:46 (21st), Jesse Terry 2:56 (14th) and Jeff Deeter 2:58 (3rd). The only musher in the top one-third of the finishers was Jeff Deeter. Jeff received a $500 check from the Nome Kennel Club.
Nome Kennel Club Howard Farley Sr. Memorial Award
This award presented in memory of Howard Farley, Sr. honors perseverance on the Trail. All finishers below 20th place were entered into a drawing, nine mushers in all. Sam Paperman’s name was drawn. He received a check for $250 from the Nome Kennel Club.
Glenfarne Alaska LNG Most Improved Musher Award
This award is presented to a musher who has improved by the most places from their previous career best finish. Hanna Lyrek of Norway who place 11th received $2,000 in cash from Glanfarne Alaska LNG for improving 8 places from her previous best of 19th in 2022. Lyrek was Rookie of the Year in 2022 with that 19th place finish.
Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award
Ryan Redington was chosen by his fellow mushers as the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for his gracious demeanor on the trail and his willingness to share knowledge and help others whenever he can. During his acceptance comments Ryan publicly thanked Paige Drobny, Mille Porsild, Michelle Phillips, Jessie Royer and Travis Beals for their sportsmanship in helping him when he was sick in the early part of the race. Ryan said the Iditarod is a race where everyone looks out for others.
Hilcorp Alaska Most Inspirational Musher Award
Paige Drobny was chosen by her peers as the most inspirational musher. Drobny having experienced health challenges in the past year said she never intended to be an inspiration. It’s the dogs who inspire us.
Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Award
As a person who emulates “Herbie” the Shishmaref Cannonball in his attitude on the trail, Jessie Holmes was chosen by the checkers in the checkpoints to receive this award. Herbie, a musher’s musher, was known for his smile, enthusiasm, competitiveness, sportsmanship, indomitable spirit, dog care and willingness to share the sport with novice mushers. To be like Herbie is a real compliment. Holmes received a Northern Air Cargo Jacket with $1,049 in pocket change and handmade gifts from the Nayokpuk family.
Golden Clipboard Award
The Golden Clipboard Award is presented by the Iditarod official finishers to the checkpoint the mushers feel was the most helpful along the trail and showed the true spirit of Alaskan hospitality. The checkpoints of McGrath and Takotna, places where the majority of the mushers take the 24-hour rest, received the Golden Clipboard recognition.
Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award presented by the Pike Dog Wellness First Initiative
Riley Dyche, the 7th place finisher was honored with the Humanitarian award. Dyche finished with 12 dogs in harness. This recognition often means more to mushers than winning the race because mushers love their dogs and pride themselves in providing the best care in the world. The award goes to a team finishing in the top one-third of contestants. The winning musher is determined by veterinary evaluation and observation. Dyche’s bond with his dogs as well as their excellent condition throughout the race was appreciated by the veterinarians. Dyche received a lead crystal trophy and a paid entry for the 2027 Iditarod. Riley departed Nome immediately after finishing the race to be with his wife in child birth.
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 led dog chosen by the mushers in 1977. The award presented by the City of Nome, continues in her memory. Polar and Zeus, leaders for champion Jessie Holmes received harnesses. Holmes called Polar a once in a lifetime leader. Zeus is a young 2 year old who has embraced leading. It seems that Zeus will be Holmes’ next once in a lifetime leader.
Northern Air Cargo 4-wheeler Drawing
Every musher attending the Sunday evening banquet has the opportunity to win a 4-wheeler by drawing a key and trying to start the vehicle. Eighth place finisher Lauro Eklund’s key brought the 4-wheeler to life! Congrats to Lauro on bringing home the 4-wheeler.
For a complete list of 2026 musher awards from Honorary Musher to Red Lantern, click the link or go to the Race Center pulldown menu, select Content then Special Awards.
