Veteran musher Brent Sass (bib # 21), of Eureka, Alaska, is the first musher to reach the Iditarod checkpoint, the halfway point of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Sass arrived at 6:08 p.m. with 14 dogs. 

GCI technician Bob James presented Sass with the Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award. By arriving first to Iditarod, Sass has a choice of either $3,000 in gold nuggets or a smartphone of the musher’s choice with a year of free GCI service.

The halfway award honors the late “Mother of the Iditarod,” Dorothy G. Page. The trophy, which is made of Alaska birch and marble and features a photo of Page, remains year-round at Iditarod headquarters. 

“GCI is committed to supporting our community and traditions, now more than ever. As the official technology partner, we want to connect kids and fans of this Alaska tradition to the race and give them something to look forward to while many are distance-learning and hunkering down at home,” said Kate Slyker, GCI’s chief marketing officer. 

This award will be re-presented to Sass at a later date.