Iditarod 51 – Special Award Recipients

Posted by in Iditarod
Date: March 20, 2023 1:19 am

Mar 19, 2023

 

Iditarod 51  Special Awards Recipients Honored at Finisher’s Banquet in Nome

The 2023 special awards given to mushers during and after Iditarod 51  were presented at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race awards banquet in Nome, Alaska on the evening of Sunday,  March 19, 2023.  

The awards, in entirety, are listed below; 

Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Alaska Award 

The Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Alaska Award was first given out in 2019. This year, it was  given to the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint. The winning musher  received: 

  • A pair of musher’s mitts with Beaver and beaded leather by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath
  • A beaver hat handmade by Rosalie Egrass, also of McGrath. 

o Winner:  Ryan Redington

GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award 

Presented by GCI since 1994, the 2023 award was given to the first musher to arrive at the Iditarod checkpoint. The winning musher received:  

  • $3,000 in gold nuggets  
  • A commemorative trophy 

o Winner:  Wade Marrs

The First Musher to the Yukon Award 

Presented since 1983, the 2023 award was given to the first musher to the Yukon given  at the Anvik checkpoint. The winning musher receives: 

  • A five-course, gourmet dinner prepared at the checkpoint by Marx Bros executive chef, Jack Amon.
  • Dinner for two at Marx Bros to be redeemed at the winner’s discretion

  o Winner:  Jessie Holmes

 

Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award 

This award has been presented by Bristol Bay Native Corporation since 2014 to the first  musher to reach the Kaltag checkpoint. The winning musher received: 

  • A $2,000 check 
  • A certificate for 25 pounds of fresh-caught, Bristol Bay salmon filets  
  • Wood-burned art piece by BBNC shareholder and artist Apay’uq Moore 

   o Winner:  Ryan Redington


Ryan Air Gold Coast Award  

The Ryan Air Gold Coast Award was first given out in 2019. It is given to the  first musher to reach the Unalakleet checkpoint. The winning musher received:  

  • One ounce in gold nuggets (valued at $1,500)  
  • Ryan Air merchandise 

  o Winner:  Ryan Redington

Northrim Bank Achieve More Award 

This award was first given out in 2018. Northrim Bank presented the award to the first  musher to reach the White Mountain checkpoint. The winning musher received:  

  • A check for $2,500 
  • Northrim Bank also made a donation in the winner’s name to the community of White Mountain 

  o Winner:  Ryan Redington

Rookie of the Year Award 

This award has been presented since 1980 to the top-placing rookie. In 2023, the  musher received:  

  • A $2,000 check 
  • A commemorative trophy 

o Winner: Eddie Burke, Jr. who finished in 7th place in 9 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes and 54 seconds.

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome 

Presented by the Nome Kennel Club since 1973, this award goes to the musher with the  fastest time from the Safety checkpoint to the finish in Nome. The musher received a  $500 check. 

  • Winner: Nic Petit

Most Improved Musher Award 

This award is presented to the musher who bettered his/her previous finish by the most  places. The musher received: 

  • $2,000 in cash 
  • A commemorative trophy 

o Winner:  Matt Failor

Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award 

Presented since 1977 to the musher demonstrating sportsmanship, the recipient of the  Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award is chosen by fellow mushers. The winning musher  received:  

  • $3,000 check 
  • A commemorative plaque 

o Winner: Hunter Keefe

 

Most Inspirational Musher Award 

Presented since 2010 to the most inspirational musher, the recipient of the  Most Inspirational Musher Award is chosen by fellow mushers. The winning musher  received:

  • Paid entry fee for the 2024 Iditarod 

o Winner: Jason Mackey

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award 

The Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award has been presented since  2007 to the person who emulates “Herbie: The Shishmaref Cannon Ball” in his/her  attitude on the trail. Race staff and officials choose the recipient.  The winning musher  received:

  •  $1,049 in “pocket change” inside a Northern Air Cargo jacket. 
  • Beautiful handmade crafts by the Nayokpuk family

o Winner: Bridgett Watkins

 

Golden Clipboard Award 

Presented since 2001 to the most outstanding checkpoint, this award is chosen by the  competing mushers. 

  • Winner:  Grayling checkpoint

 

Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award presented by the Pike Dog Wellness First Initiative 

Presented since 1982 to a musher that demonstrates outstanding dog care while  remaining competitive throughout the race, the recipient of the Leonhard Seppala  Humanitarian Award is chosen by the veterinary team. The musher received:  

  •   A commemorative trophy 
  • Paid entry fee for the 2024 Iditarod 

o Winner: Deke Naaktgeboren

City of Nome Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness Award 

Presented in honor of the late Lolly Medley, a Wasilla harness maker and one of two  women to run the second Iditarod, since in 1974. The recipient is chosen by mushers  and awarded to the most outstanding lead dog. The canine athlete received an  embroidered gold-colored harness.  

  • Winner: Ghost & Sven (Ryan Redington’s team) 

Lynden “Committed through the Last Mile” Red Lantern Award 

Presented since 1973, the Red Lantern Award is given to the final finisher of the Iditarod  Trail Sled Dog Race. Lynden is sponsoring the award and the winning musher received:

  •   Red Lantern Trophy
  • $1,000 check

o Winner: Jason Mackey