Ryan Redington on Norton Bay Heading to Koyuk at Sunset (Photo: Insider Video)
Ryan Redington is the first musher to reach White Mountain during Iditarod 2023. He will receive the Achieve More Award presented by Northrim Bank. The award was first presented in 2018. Redington will receive a check for $2,500 and his name will be added to a special trophy that resides at Iditarod Headquarters.
Northrim President Mike Hutson said, “Our award inspires all Alaskans to ‘achieve more’ and we are honored to celebrate the tradition of mushing in Alaska. As an Alaska grown bank, we know the pioneer spirit it takes to thrive in Alaska and also on the Iditarod Trail.”
Redington departed Koyuk this morning at 02:17. He arrived in Elim 08:35 and departed 13 minutes later. With snow falling Ryan arrived in White Mountain located on the Fish River 7 hours and 24 minutes later at 16:12 with 8 dogs in harness. Redington will serve his 8-hour mandatory rest and will be eligible to depart for Nome at 00:12.
Looking back at the 2011 race when John Baker became the first Inupiaq musher to win Iditarod and set a record with a time of 8 days, 18 hours and 46 minutes, Ryan chose to follow some of Baker’s race plan. Baker rested 3 hours and 13 minutes in Koyuk before passing through Elim and making the entire 94 mile run to White Mountain. Redington rested 3 hours and 31 minutes in Koyuk and also went Koyuk to White Mountain. Coming off the Yukon River, Baker rested in Kaltag for 4 hours then covered the 85 miles to Unalakleet in one run. Redington did the same on 4 hours 30 minutes rest in Kaltag.
Pete Kaiser left Koyuk 26 minutes behind Redington with 8 dogs in harness. Kaiser chose to rest in Elim and departed Elim 5 hours and 30 minutes after Ryan passed through. Ryan left Elim with 8 dogs in harness. Coming from Koyuk, Richie Diehl took a 2 hour 12 minute rest in Elim and left 4 minutes ahead of Kaiser with 7 dogs in harness. Matt Hall looks to be taking the trek to White Mountain from Koyuk as one run like Redington. Jessie Holmes, Matthew Failor, Eddie Burke, Jr. are resting in Elim. That accounts for the top seven mushers.
The ten mushers in the back of the pack are all headed for Unalakleet with the exception of Eric Kelly who remains in Kaltag. The middle of the pack is concentrated between Unalakleet and Koyuk.
Depending on what Mother Nature has brewing for the leaders as they depart White Mountain and negotiate Topkok, the Blow Hole, Safety and Cape Nome there should be a champion on Front Street sometime between 0900 and 1030.
