Mitch Seavey wins his third Iditarod in record time of 8 days, 3 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds in Nome during the 2017 Iditarod on Tuesday afternoon March 14, 2017.

Photo by Jeff Schultz/SchultzPhoto.com (C) 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Whenever you find yourself in a conversation with someone about the Iditarod and prominent champions, more often than not, the name Mitch Seavey is  brought up. Undoubtedly, Mitch is one of the highest achieving mushers in Iditarod history. To date, Mitch has completed the Iditarod 24 times. Out of those finishes, 16 were top ten finishes, and even more remarkable, 3 of those were first place finishes.  

Mitch’s father, Dan Seavey, helped stage the first Iditarod which took place in 1973, and he also raced that same year. Dan went on to finish the Iditarod four more times. Mitch has four sons- Danny, Tyrell, Dallas, and Conway- all of whom have experience running the Jr. Iditarod and/or the Iditarod. Most notably, Dallas is a four time Iditarod champion and also the youngest musher to ever win the Iditarod. Needless to say, Mitch and his family have tremendous experience mushing and being involved with the Iditarod.

Cape Nome looms behind Mitch Seavey as he leads the race between White Mountain and Safety on Tuesday March 12, 2013.
Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2013
Photo by Jeff Schultz copyright 2013 DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT PERMISSION

When he is not racing, Mitch, along with his sons and his wife, Janine, operate their family business and kennel, Seavey’s Ididaride Sled Dog Tours. Mitch also thoroughly enjoys being with his grandchildren. If you don’t catch him around his dogs, you might catch Mitch passing time by reading or hunting. 

Mitch shared some information with me in order to help me get to know him better. Check out his responses to my questions:

Who has been your most influential teacher, mentor or coach? Why did you admire this person?

My most influential teacher has to be my father, Dan Seavey, who ran the first two Iditarod races and raised me with sled dogs.

What is one of your favorite memories from being on the trail?

My “memories” on the trail are far too many to remember but finishing the race in 2017 in record time with loping dogs that still needed speed control stands out as a highlight.

Mitch Seavey arrives in second place at the finish line in Nome on Tuesday March 15th during the 2016 Iditarod. Alaska
Photo by Jeff Schultz (C) 2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Can you recall the most challenging obstacle that you’ve encountered on the trail? What was it and how did you overcome it?

One memorable obstacle was finishing the 2014 race and the run from the Topkok foothills to Nome where we had dirt, rocks, driftwood, ice, and 60 mile an hour winds. One gets through those sort of things by keeping their eye on the prize and taking one baby step at a time. If I can go 50 feet before my next crash or tangle then I’m still progressing.

When did you begin mushing? 

I began mushing at four years old with my father Dan Seavey

Mitch Seavey takes two of his dogs for a walk during his 24 hour break at the Tokotna checkpoint just before dawn on Wednesday March 6, 2013.
Iditarod Sled Dog Race 2013
Photo by Jeff Schultz copyright 2013 DO NOT REPRODUCE WITHOUT PERMISSION

What advice would you give someone who is interested in getting  into mushing?

My advice to someone getting into mushing is to follow your career and become financially stable before you venture off into the mushing world. It’s very expensive and we owe it to our dogs to be able to afford what they need.

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book, of course, is Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way by yours truly; but, I also like The First Great Race by Dan Seavey.

Who is your favorite musical artist and what is your favorite song?

My favorite musical artist is Conway Seavey and his group Queen Solomon. [My] favorite song [by them is] “Filthy Rich.”

Were there moments when you were bored or lonely on the trail? If so, what did you do to pass the time?

I’ve been bored or lonely lots of times on the trail, and nowadays, I like to listen to audiobooks, but when I run out of those I sing to my dogs, much to their annoyance.

Cake or Pie?

Moose meat or Caribou meat, that is the question.

Make sure to cheer on Mitch as he makes his way toward Nome in hopes of adding another Iditarod champion title to his name.