Without question, there is a race within this race and it’s a tight one right now – Rookie of the Year.  Rookies Eddie Burke, Jr. and Hunter Keefe are both within the top ten as they head to Iditarod checkpoint.  These fellows have strong dogs teams and are enjoying the race.  They are thrilled to have this opportunity and are grateful for the mentors and sponsors who have provided knowledge and guidance and made this all possible.

In 2020, Eddie took on the job of handler at Wildstyle Racing.  A year later he took a young team to his and their first race.  That first season included several challenging races.  The last race of the season was the Ididn’trod 200 Invitational.  Burke and team claimed gold in the race, a very proud moment and reason to celebrate all they had accomplished that season.  He has participated in the Kobuk 440, the Kusko 300, the Yukon Quest 300 and the Willow 300 as well as several other races.  Burke claimed 3^rd place in the 2023 Kusko behind Peter Kaiser and Matthew Failor. 

Eddie is very grateful to mentor Tony Browning and to mentor and sponsor Arron Burmeister.  Burke who has been training the Wildstyle team on trails around Nenana and grew up in Anchorage says, “There are things in life that find you, even though you were never expecting them.  That is how I feel about dog mushing.  This sport and lifestyle is not for everyone, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”  Burke would be the hands down winner for best mullet on the trail.

Hunter Keefe has dreamed of becoming a musher since he watched Balto at age six.  Keefe who grew up in Michigan calls himself an Iditarod freak saying, “I watched every Insider clip and every mushing movie I could find.”  During middle school he started running dogs at a Michigan kennel near his home town.  

Hunter moved to Alaska in August of 2018 to work for the Girdwood Mushing Company.  Since arriving in Alaska, he’s worked with Nic Petit, Raymie Redington, Ryan Redington and Robert Redington.    Keef has a couple dogs of his own but will be running Raymie Redington dogs throughout the 2023 season and for Iditarod.  Just recently, Hunter earned 2nd place in the Willow 300 following Nic Petit to the finish line.

Keefe hopes that the 2023 Iditarod is the beginning of a long mushing career.  He admits he has no plan “B” for a career.  His goal for the 2023 Iditarod is to realize the potential of each dog and finish with a healthy happy team.

Jason Mackey Carrying Ashes of Mother and Brother to Spread (Photo: Siri Raitto)

Jason Mackey has some very precious cargo in his sled.  He is carrying the ashes of his mother, Kathie Smith,  and his brother, Iditarod legend Lance Mackey.  Jason intends to spread the ashes at special sports along the trail – there was a spot outside of Skwentna where he and Lance met up,  Lance always said Ophir was his favorite checkpoint,  they weathered some fierce storms between Shaktoolik and Koyuk, the Burled Arch…

Forecasts say the weather is going to cool down!  That’s welcome news.  Over the first four days of the race, mushers have had to adapt to rest during the heat and run during the cooler parts of the day and night.  Mother Nature helped a little yesterday with cloudy skies and light head winds.  It’s amazing how warm the sun can feel at this time of the year!

Up front Jessie Holmes is in the lead and out of Iditarod heading to Shageluk.  The rest of the top ten are resting in Iditarod with Wade Marrs serving his long layover.  Fourteen teams are out of Ophir heading to Iditarod.  Ophir is host to a trio of mushers including Deke Naaktgeboren who is completing his long Layover.  Another trio has departed Takotna for Ophir.  Eric Kelley is the solo guy in Takotna.  Gregg Vitello is completing his layover in McGrath and is eligible to leave just before 10:00 pm.