Iditarod Special Awards & Record Holders Archive

Champions

Year Musher Time to Nome
2021 Seavey, Dallas 07d 14h 08m 57s
2020 Waerner, Thomas 09d 10h 37m 47s
2019 Kaiser, Peter 09d 12h 39m 06s
2018 Leifseth Ulsom, Joar 08d 12h 00m 00s
2017 Seavey, Mitch 08d 03h 40m 13s
2016 Seavey, Dallas 08d 11h 20m 16s
2015 Seavey, Dallas 08d 18h 13m 06s
2014 Seavey, Dallas 08d 13h 04m 19s
2013 Seavey, Mitch 09d 07h 39m 56s
2012 Seavey, Dallas 09d 04h 29m 26s
2011 Baker, John 08d 18h 46m 39s
2010 Mackey, Lance 08d 23h 59m 09s
2009 Mackey, Lance 09d 21h 38m 46s
2008 Mackey, Lance 09d 11h 46m 48s
2007 Mackey, Lance 09d 05h 08m 41s
2006 King, Jeff 09d 11h 11m 36s
2005 Sørlie, Robert 09d 18h 39m 31s
2004 Seavey, Mitch 09d 12h 20m 22s
2003 Sørlie, Robert 09d 15h 47m 36s
2002 Buser, Martin 08d 22h 46m 02s
2001 Swingley, Doug 09d 19h 55m 50s
2000 Swingley, Doug 09d 00h 58m 06s
1999 Swingley, Doug 09d 14h 31m 07s
1998 King, Jeff 09d 05h 52m 26s
1997 Buser, Martin 09d 08h 30m 45s
1996 King, Jeff 09d 05h 43m 13s
1995 Swingley, Doug 09d 02h 42m 19s
1994 Buser, Martin 10d 13h 02m 39s
1993 King, Jeff 10d 15h 38m 15s
1992 Buser, Martin 10d 19h 17m 15s
1991 Swenson, Rick 12d 16h 34m 39s
1990 Butcher, Susan 11d 01h 53m 23s
1989 Runyan, Joe 11d 05h 24m 34s
1988 Butcher, Susan 11d 11h 41m 40s
1987 Butcher, Susan 11d 02h 05m 13s
1986 Butcher, Susan 11d 15h 06m 00s
1985 Riddles, Libby 18d 00h 20m 17s
1984 Osmar, Dean 12d 15h 07m 33s
1983 Mackey, Rick 12d 14h 10m 44s
1982 Swenson, Rick 16d 04h 40m 10s
1981 Swenson, Rick 12d 08h 45m 02s
1980 May, Joe 14d 07h 11m 51s
1979 Swenson, Rick 15d 10h 37m 47s
1978 Mackey, Dick 14d 18h 52m 24s
1977 Swenson, Rick 16d 16h 27m 13s
1976 Riley, Gerald 18d 22h 58m 17s
1975 Peters, Emmitt 14d 14h 43m 45s
1974 Huntington, Carl 20d 15h 02m 07s
1973 Wilmarth, Dick 20d 00h 49m 41s

 

Record holders

Musher Year(s) Record
Mitch Seavey 2017 Fastest Winning Time: 8d 3h 40m 13s
Dallas Seavey 2012 Youngest Musher to Win, tied for Most Times Won (5)
Rick Swenson 1977-79-81-82-91 Most Times Won (5)
Lance Mackey 2007-08-09-10 Most Consecutive Wins (4)
Mary Shields 1974 First Woman to Finish
Libby Riddles 1985 First Woman to Win
Doug Swingley 1995 First Winner from Outside Alaska
Robert Sorlie 2003 First Winner from Overseas

 

Multiple winners

Musher Year(s) Record
Rick Swenson 5 1977-79-81-82-91
Susan Butcher 4 1986-87-88-90
Martin Buser 4 1992-94-97-2002
Lance Mackey 4 2007-08-09-10
Doug Swingley 4 1995-99-2000-01
Jeff King 4 1993-96-98-2006
Robert Sorlie 2 2003-05
Mitch Seavey 3 2004-13-17
Dallas Seavey 5 2012-14-15-16

 


 

Awards are listed in the order they are announced along the trail. Voted awards are listed at the end. All years listed from first year awarded to current year awarded.

 

Honorary Musher

Leonhard Seppala was honored as the number one musher through 1979. In 1980, the Iditarod Committee decided to have “Wild Bill” Shannon share the honor. Since then, the directors have chosen a person or persons, not necessarily mushers, who have made a significant contribution to the sport of sled dog racing. The Honorary Musher is listed as the first one out of the starting chute.

 

1973 Leonhard Seppala 

1974 Leonhard Seppala 

1975 Leonhard Seppala 

1976 Leonhard Seppala 

1978 Leonhard Seppala 

1979 Leonhard Seppala 

1980 Leonhard Seppala & “Wild Bill” Shannon 

1981 Edgar Kalland 

1982 Billy McCarty 

1983 Charles Evans & Edgar Nollner 

1984 Pete MacManus & Howard Albert 

1985 William A Egan 

1986 Fred Machetanz 

1987 Eva Brunell “Short” Seeley 

1988 Marvin “Muktuk” Marston 

1989 Otis Delvin “Del” Carter, DVM & John AuliyE 

1990 Victor “Duke” Kotongan & Henry Ivanoff 

1991 Wild Bill Shannon & Dr. Roland Lombard 

1992 Herbie Nayokpuk 

1993 Leroy Swenson & Pat Curan 

1994 Dick Tozier & Mike Merkling 

1995 John Komak 

1996 Bill Vaudrin 

1997 Dorothy G Page

1998 Joel Kottke & Lolly Medley

1999 Violet “Vi” Redington & George Rae

2000 Joe Redington Sr., Edgar Nollner & John Schultz

2001 Don Bowers & RW Van Pelt, Jr., DVM

2002· Earl Norris & Isaac Okleasik

2003 Howard & Julie Farley

2004 Terry Adkins & Harry Pitka

2005 Larry Thompson & Jirdes Winther Baxter

2006 Gene Leonard

2007 Susan Butcher

2008 Max Lowe

2009 Rod and Carol Udd

2010 Oren Seybert

2011 Tom Busch & KNOM

2012 Dave Olson

2013 Jan Newton

2014 Deby Trosper

2015 Philip Esai

2016 Joanne Potts

2017 Leo Rasmussen

2018 Joseph Redington Jr

2019 Ed and Cathy Rasmuson

2020 Gail Phillips

2021 Mushers of the 1925 Serum Run

 


Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Alaska Award

First presented in 2019 and was given to the first musher to reach the McGrath checkpoint. Last year’s recipient received beaver mitts and musher hat made by residents of McGrath.

 

2000 Paul Gebhardt

2001 Linwood Fiedler

2002 Martin Buser

2003 Robert Sorlie

2004 Jeff King

2005 Robert Sorlie

2006 Doug Swingley

2007 Martin Buser

2008 Lance Mackey

2009 Aaron Burmeister

2010 Jeff King

2011 Martin Buser

2012 Aliy Zirkle

2013 Aaron Burmeister

2014 Sonny Lindner

2015 Mitch Seavey

2016 Dallas Seavey

2017 Wade Marrs

2018 Mitch Seavey

2019 Nicolas Petit

2020 Jessie Royer

2021 Dallas Seavey

 


GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award

While there was obviously a “first musher to the halfway point” in every race, there are no records of who that person was prior to 1980 when the first Halfway Award was presented. GCI became the sponsor of this award in 1994. The winning musher receives the award on the spot and then it is symbolically presented in Nome. This award, given in honor of the late “Mother of the Iditarod,” is presented in Iditarod in the odd years when the race follows the southern trail from Ophir to Kaltag, and Cripple in the even years when the northern trail is followed. The first musher to Iditarod will receive a trophy and his/her choice of $3,000 in gold nuggets symbolic of the history of this interior area of the Iditarod Mining District or brand-new state of the art iPhone with a year of free service. A beautiful perpetual trophy made of Alaskan birch and marble and featuring a photograph of the late Dorothy G. Page remains year-round at Iditarod headquarters.

 

Year/Musher

1980 Herbie Nayokpuk

1981 Larry Smith

1982 Emmitt Peters

1983 Eep Anderson

1984 Dean Osmar

1985 Burt Bomhoff

1986 Jerry Austin

1987 Dewey Halverson

1988 Joe Redington Sr

1989 Susan Butcher

1990 Lavon Barve

1991 Susan Butcher & DeeDee Jonrowe

1992 Doug Swingley

1993 Jeff King

1994 Dave Olesen

1995 Doug Swingley

1996 Martin Buser

1997 Jeff King

1998 John Baker

1999 Doug Swingley

2000 Doug Swingley

2001 Doug Swingley

2002 Martin Buser

2003 Robert Sorlie

2004 Martin Buser

2005 Robert Sorlie

2006 Doug Swingley

2007 Lance Mackey

2008 DeeDee Jonrowe

2009 Lance Mackey

2010 Dallas Seavey

2011 Trent Herbst

2012 Jim Lanier

2013 Lance Mackey

2014 Aaron Burmeister

2015 Aaron Burmeister

2016 Dallas Seavey

2017 Mitch Seavey

2018 Joar Leifseth Ulsom 

2019 Aliy Zirkle

2020 Brent Sass

2021 Brent Sass

Route/Time

N 06:09:21

S 06:05:29

N 05:10:02

S 05:07:04

N 05:15:08

S 10:01:20

N 05:14:00

S 05:08:14

N 04:19:14

S 05:12:45

N 06:13:57

S 05:16:38

N 04:19:58

S 05:04:10

N 05:50:00

S 03:12:50

N 04:01:04

S 04:05:06

N 03:10:38

S 03:11:35

N 03:12:22

S 03:12:45

N 03:07:45

Changed Route 03:16:41

N 04:09:02

S 03:10:05

N 03:10:09

S 03:10:11

N 05:12:08

S 04:03:20

N 03:10:08

S 03:15:29

N 03:53:00

S 03:06:30

N 03:44:00

Changed Route 02:18:36

N 03:01:03

Changed Route 08:18:00

S 03:06:28

S

N 09:54

Gold Trail Loop

 


 

The Lakefront Anchorage First Musher to the Yukon Award

Presented since 1983, the award is given to the first musher to the Yukon. (Ruby northern route, Anvik southern route). The winning musher receives a five-course, gourmet dinner prepared at the checkpoint by The Lakefront Anchorage executive chef, $3,500 in one-dollar bills, and a bottle of Dom Perignon.

 

1983 Larry “Cowboy” Smith

1984 Dean Osmar

1985 Not presented 

1986 Not presented 

1987 Jerry Austin

1988 Joe Redington Sr.

1989 Rick Swenson

1990 Susan butcher

1991 Jeff King

1994 Rick Mackey

1995 Doug Swingley

1996 Martin Buser

1997 Martin Buser

1998 John Baker

1999 Doug Swingley

2000 Doug Swingley

2001 Linwood Fiedler

2002 Martin Buser

2003 Robert Sorlie

2004 Jeff King

2005 Paul Gebhardt

2006 Paul Gebhardt

2007 Martin Buser

2008 Lance Mackey

2009 Lance Mackey

2010 Jeff King

2011 Hugh Neff

2012 Not presented 

2013 Martin Buser

2014 Jeff King

2015 Jeff King

2016 Jeff King

2017 Nicolas Petit

2018 Nicolas Petit

2019 Nicolas Petit

2020 Jessie Royer

2021 Dallas Seavey

 


 

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 musher will. Receive a check for $2,000 and 25 pounds of Bristol Bay salmon.

 

2014 Aliy Zirkle

2015 Aaron Burmeister

2016 Mitch Seavey

2017 Mitch Seavey

2018 Nicolas Petit

2019 Peter Kaiser

2020 Jessie Royer

2021 Aaron Burmeister

 


 

Ryan Air Gold Coast Award

This was first presented in 1987 and again in 1988. After not having a Gold Coast Award for four years, the National Bank of Alaska (now Wells Fargo Bank Alaska) began sponsoring the award in 1993. Ryan Air, began sponsoring this award in 2019 and is given to the first musher to reach the Unalakleet checkpoint. The winning musher receives $1,500 in gold nuggets and a carved ivory dog sled team.

 

1987 Dewey Halverson

1988 Martin Buser

1989 – 1992 Not presented 

1993 Rick Mackey

1994 Martin Buser

1995 Doug Swingley

1996 Jeff King

1997 Martin Buser

1998 Jeff King

1999 Doug Swingley

2000 Doug Swingley

2001 Doug Swingley

2002 Martin Buser

2003 Robert Sorlie

2004 Kjetil Backen

2005 Robert Sorlie

2006 Jeff King

2007 Jeff King

2008 Jeff King

2009 Lance Mackey

2010 Lance Mackey

2011 John Baker

2012 Aliy Zirkle

2013 Mitch Seavey

2014 Aliy Zirkle

2015 Aaron burmeister

2016 Brent Sass

2017 Wade Mash

2018 Not presented

2019 Nicolas Petit

2020 Thomas Waerner

2021 Dallas Seavey

 


 

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. Winner receives a check for $2,500 and a one-of-a-kind print.

 

2018 Joar Leifseth Ulsom

2019 Peter Kaiser

2020 Thomas Waerner

2021 Dallas Seavey

 


 

Rookie of the Year Award

There has obviously been a top finishing rookie in every Iditarod. In fact, rookies won the first three races. It wasn’t until 1976 that the top-finishing rookie was not the winner. For purposes of this award, a rookie is defined as a musher racing his/her first Iditarod. The top-placing rookie receives a beautiful trophy, along with a check for $2,000. 

 

Year/Musher

1973 Dick Wilmarth

1974 Carl Huntington

1975 Emmitt Peters

1976 Harry Sutherland

1977 Pete MacManus

1978 Sonny  Lindner

1979 Gary Hokenan

1980 Donna Gentry

1981 Gary Attla

1982 Stan Zuray

1983 Roger Legaard

1984 Rusty Miller

1985 Tim Moerlein

1986 Rune Hesthammer

1987 Robin Jacobson

1988 Lucy Nordlum

1989 Richard Self

1990 Sonny Russell

1991 Kate persons

1992 Doug Swingley

1993 Jason Barron/Keizo Funatsu

1994 Ramy Brooks

1995 David Sawatzky

1996 Cim Smyth

1997 Kris Swanguarin

1998 Mark May

1999  Harald Tunheim

2000 Tony Willis

2001 Jessica Royer

2002 Robert Sorlie

2003 Jessica Hendricks

2004 Hugh Neff

2005 Bjornar Andersen

2006 Mike Jayne

2007 Sigrid Ekran

2008 William Kleedehn

2009 Chad Lindner

2010 Dan Kaduce

2011 Nicolas Petit

2012 Brent Sass

2013 Joar Leifseth Ulsom

2014 Nathan Schroeder

2015 Thomas Waerner

2016 Geir Jdar Hjelvik

2017 Sebastian Vergnaud

2018 Jessie Holmes

2019 Ed Hopkins

2020 Mille Porsild

2021 Chad Stoddard

Place/Time

1    20:00:49:41 

  20:15:01:00

1    14:14:43:15

3    19:14:02:52

13  17:12:17:41

11  15:12:03:03

11  16:16:57:05

10  15:16:39:06

17  13:22:01:37

9    16:06:44:00

10  13:11:33:45

13  14:08:44:17

11  18:21:10:56

10  13:04:20:00

18  12:14:35:30

13  13:23:47:31

21 13:09:56:57

15  13:09:07:00

13 13:14:20:59

9   11:13:47:00

34 14:17:56:00/35 14:17:56:00

17 11:15:41:30

15 10:12:58:03

18 10:08:00:00

20 10:19:26:01

20 10:19:44:40

19 11:01:47:36

27 10:13:33:52

14 11:23:04:40

 09:13:44:52

19 11:02:40:17

22 10:16:21:01

4   09:19:50:38

25 10:13:07:15

20 10:13:21:07

27 10:12:50:39

30 12:04:21:50

21 10:00:50:00

28 10:15:43:01

13 09:20:25:05

 09:12:34:00

17 09:17:52:51

17 09:18:10:20

26 09:17:24:10

23 09:08:27:53

 09:23:39:40

21 11:08:07:34

15 10:01:43:15

23 09:04:06:10

 


 

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome 

One of the longest-standing awards to an Iditarod musher is presented by the Nome Kennel Club. The club awards $500 to the musher who finishes in the top 20 and has the fastest time from Safety to Nome. 

Year/Musher

1973 Bud Smyth

1974 Bud Smyth

1975 Rick Mackey

1976 Ken chase

1977 Rick Swenson

1978 Pete MacManus

1979 Rick Swenson

1980 Rick Swenson

1981 Rick Mackey

1982 Missing record

1983 Missing record

1984 John Cooper

1985 Missing record

1986 Jerry Riley

1987 Rick Swenson

1988 Rick Mackey

1989 Rick Mackey

1990 Susan Butcher

1991 Rick Mackey

1992 Vern Halter

1993 Jeff King

1994 Vern Halter

1995 Ramey Smyth

1996 Cim Smyth

1997 Ramey Smyth

1998 Paul Gebhardt

1999 Rick Mackey

2000 Bruce Lee

2001 Jessica Royer & Ramey Smyth

2002 Ramey Smyth

2003 Ramey Smyth

2004 Ramey Smyth

2005 Ken Anderson

2006 Cim Smyth

2007 Cim Smyth

2008 Cim Smyth

2009 Ramey Smyth

2010 Paul Gebardt

2011 Lance Mackey

2012 Mike Williams, Jr.

2013 Ramey Smyth

2014 Jessica Royer & Ray Redington Jr. 

2015 Wade Mars

2016 Nicolas Petit

2017 Nicolas Petit

2018 Nicolas Petit

2019 Wade Mars

2020 Pete Kaiser 

2021 Dan Kaduce 

Time

04:42:25 (Soloman to Nome)

04:23:11 (Soloman to Nome)

04:05:39 (Soloman to Nome)

04:28:00 (Soloman to Nome)

04:15:13  (Soloman to Nome)

04:15:53 (Soloman to Nome)

02:59:47 (Henceforth Safety to Nome)

02:22:49

02:19:00

 

 

01:59:24

 

 

02:20

02:22:29

02:33

02:17

02:24

02:30:40

02:22

02:36:13

02:07

02:01

02:08

02:12:40

02:29

02:28:05

02:42:40

02:14

02:26

02:10

02:25

02:04

02:04

02:57

02:27

02:40

02:25

02:57

02:19

02:24

02:30

02:25

02:27

02:09

02:38

02:47

07:40 Skwentna to Deshka Landing

 


 

Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Official Truck Award

This award has been presented to the Iditarod champion since 1991. The Iditarod Champion will be awarded a new 2020 RAM 1500 4×4 pickup truck valued at $40,000. Owner, Rod Udd of Anchorage Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has been the sole sponsor of this award since 2002. He passed away in 2017 and the Iditarod appreciates his years of contributions to the race.

 

1991 Rick Swenson

1992 Martin Buser 

1993 Jeff King 

1994 Martin Buser 

1995 Doug Swingley 

1996 Jeff King 

1997 Martin Buser 

1998 Jeff King 

1999 Doug Swingley 

2000 Doug Swingley

2001 Doug Swingley 

2002 Martin Buser 

2003 Robert Sorlie 

2004 Mitch Seavey 

2005 Robert Sorlie

2006 Jeff King

2007 Lance Mackey

2008 Lance Mackey

2009 Lance Mackey

2010 Lance Mackey

2011 John Baker

2012 Dallas Seavey

2013 Mitch Seavey

2014 Dallas Seavey

2015 Dallas Seavey

2016 Dallas Seavey

2017 Mitch Seavey

2018 Joar Leifseth Ulsom

2019 Peter Kaiser

2020 Thomas Waerner

 


Red Lantern Award

The Red Lantern Award acts as a symbol of perseverance for the Iditarod. According to historians, awarding the red lantern for the last place finisher has become an Alaska tradition in sled dog racing. The award honors the final team’s dedication to fulfilling their goal of safely and successfully crossing under the burled arch despite unexpected challenges.

 

Year/Musher

1973 John Schultz

1974 Red Olson

1975 Steve Fee

1976 Dennis Corrington

1977 Vasily Zamitkyn

1978 Andrew Foxie

1979 Gene Leonard

1980 Barbara Moore

1981 Jim Strong

1982 Ralph Bradley

1983 Scott Cameron 

1984 Bill Mackey

1985 Monique Bene

1986 Mike peterson

1987 Rhodi Karella

1988 Lesley Monk

1989 Bob Hoyt

1990 Steve Haver

1991 Brian O’Donoghue

1992 Vern Cherneski

1993 Lloyd Gilbertson

1994 Mark Chapoton

1995 Ben Jacobson

1996 Andy Sterns

1997 Ken Chase

1998 Brad Pozarnsky

1999 Jeremy Gebauer

2000 Fedor Konyjkhov

2001 Karen Ramstead

2002 David Straub

2003 Russell Bybee

2004 Perry Solmonson

2005 Phil Morgan

2006 Glenn Lockwood

2007 Ellen Halverson

2008 Deborah Bicknell

2009 Tim Hunt

2010 Celeste Davis

2011 Ellen Halverson

2012 Jan Steves

2013 Christine Roalofs

2014 Marcelle Fressineau

2015 Cindy Abbott

2016 Mary Helwig

2017 Cindy Abbott

2018 Magnus Kaltenborn

2019 Victoria Hardwick

2020 Kaci Murringer

2021 Victoria Hardwick

 

Run Time

32:05:09:01

29:06:36:10

29:08:37:13

26:08:42:51

22:09:06:06

22:03:29:44

24:09:02:22

24:09:25:45

18:06:30:30

26:13:59:59

21:04:36:41

19:09:43:33

22:03:45:45

20:13:42:21

19:09:01:01

19:13:22:55

17:11:19:19

21:10:26:26

22:05:55:55

18:13:05:02

18:04:19:19

16:16:17:35

17:06:02:05

15:23:48:22

15:09:07:44

14:05:42:04

15:03:18:44

15:05:44:44

14:23:53:16

14:05:38:12

15:05:30:53

15:02:50:56

15:06:02:57

15:18:08:56

16:11:56:20

15:05:36:12

15:14:06:22

13:05:06:40

13:19:45:49

14:11:57:03

13:22:36:08

13:04:42:08

13:11:19:51

13:08:51:30

12:02:57:31 (Fastest Red Lantern Time)

12:20:13:14

14:22:51:49

13:22:29:45

10:09:22:06 (Gold Trail Loop)


 

Most Improved Musher Award

The concept for an award for the most improved musher began in 1987, when the mushers honored Ted English. English had finished 18th in his second race and eight the following year. The winner receives $2,000 in cash and a commemorative trophy. 

 

Year/Musher

1987 Ted English

1988 

1989 Tim Mowry

1990 Mike Madden

1991 Frank Teasley

1992 Claire Philip

1993 Bob Holder

1994 Charlie Boulding

1995 Harry Caldwell

1996 David Scheer

1997 Bill Bass

1998 Sonny King

1999 Max Hall

2000 Ramy Brooks

2001 Dan Govoni

2002 Lynda Plettner

2003 Clint Warnke

2004 Jason Barron

2005 Harmony Barron

2006 Rick Casillo

2007 Tollef Monson

2008 Warren Palfrey

2009 Dallas Seavey

2010 Sam Deltour

2011 Trent Herbst

2012 Rohn Buser

2013 Nick Petit

2014 Richie Diehl

2015 Travis Beals

2016 Noah Burmeister

2017 Ryan Redington

2018 Matthew Failor

2019 Paige Drobny

2020 Tim Pappas

2021 Ryne Olson

Place Improvement

18th in 1986 to 8th in 1987

 

42nd in 1988 to 27th in 1989

Scratch in 1989 to 13th in 1990

31st in 1988, 19th in 1989 to 6 in 1990

26th in 1987 to 13th in 1992 (her next Iditarod)

49th in 1992 to 33rd in 1993

43rd in 1992 to 7th in 1994

44th in 1994 to 25th in 1995

37th in 1986 to 12in 1996 (his next Iditarod)

56th in 1992 to 38th in 1997 (his next Iditarod)

42nd in 1997 to 25th in 1998

46th in 1995 to 37th in 1999 (his next Iditarod)

18th in 1998 to 4th in 2000 (his next Iditarod)

60th in 2000 to 28th in 2001

66th in 2000 to 20th in 2002

53rd in 2001 to 26th in 2003

42nd in 2002 to 12th in 2004

68th in 2004 to 39th in 2005

57th in 2004 to 34th in 2006

44th in 2006 to 10th in 2007

60th in 2007 to 20th in 2008

41st in 2007 to 6th in 2009

60th in 2008 to 41st in 2010

49th in 2010 to 27th in 2011

37th in 2008 to 18th in 2012 (his next Iditarod)

29th in 2012 to 6th in 2013

36th in 2013 to 14th in 2014

37th in 2014 to 11th in 2015

55th in 2006 to 11th in 2016

36th in 2009 to14th in 2017

59th in 2017 to 13th in 2018

43rd in 2016 to 7th in 2019

51st in 2016 to 20th in 2020 (his next Iditarod)

59th in 2016 to 18th in 2021 (her next Iditarod)

 


 

Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award

A sportsmanship award was initiated in 1977 by the Alaska Native Brotherhood to honor Native musher Ken Chase. The ANB continued to present the Ken Chase Sportsmanship Award through 1982. Since then the award has been presented by the Iditarod Trail Committee, and various other sponsors, to the person chosen by his/her peers as the best sportsman on the trail. In 2015, Donlin Gold began sponsoring the award. The winner will receive a $3,000 check and a plaque.

 

1977 Ken Chase

1978 James Brandon

1979 Sonny Lindner

1980 Marc Boily

1981 DeeDee Jonrowe

1982 Dean Osmar

1983 Rick Swenson

1984 Dave Olson

1985 Terry Adkins/Alan Cheshire

1986 Dave Olesen

1987 Jerry Austin

1988 Ted English

1989 Lindwood Fiedler, Jamie Nelson, Cathy Halverson, Mitch Brazin, Bernie Willis, Jerry Austin

1990 Joe Redington, Sr.

1991 Terry Adkins

1992 Bob Hickel

1993 Dave Olesen/Jerry Austin

1994 Beth Baker/Jamie Nelson

1995 Cliff Roberson

1996 Dewey Halverson

1997 Don Bowers

1998 Martin Buser

1999 Jim Gallea, Jeremy Gebauer, Matt Hayashida

2000 Ramy Brooks

2001 John Barron

2002 Rick Swenson

2003 Jim Lanier/Sonny Lindner

2004 Cim Smyth

2005 Martin Buser

2006 Tollef Monson

2007 Tollef Monson

2008 Ray Redington, Jr. 

2009 Aaron Burmeister

2010 Ray Redington, Jr.

2011 Allen Moore

2012 Lance Mackey

2013 Cim Smyth

2014 Michael Williams, Jr.

2015 Lance Mackey

2016 John Baker

2017 Allen Moore

2018 Scott Janssen

2019 Mats Pettersson

2020 Martin Buser

2021 Matthew Failor

 

 


 

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. Winner receives a paid entry fee for the following year’s Iditarod.

 

1986 Terry Adkins

1987 Norman D Vaughan

1888 Joe Redington Sr./Herbie Nayokpuk

1989 Joe Redington Sr. 

1990 Lavon Barve

1991 Lavon Barve/Joe Garnie

1992 Mike Williams

1993 DeeDee Jonrowe

1994 Dave Olesen/Bruce Lee

1995 Peryll Kyzer

1996 Rick Swenson

1997 Joe Redington Sr.

1998 Mike Williams

1999 Sonny Lindner

2000 Emmitt Peters

2001 Palmer Sagoonick

2002 Lance Mackey

2003 DeeDee Jonrowe/Charlie Boulding

2004 Cim Smyth

2005 Martin Buser

2006 Tove Sorenson

2007 Lance Mackey

2008 Jennifer Freking

2009 Trent Herbst

2010 Jim Lanier

2011 Rick Swenson

2012 Dan Seavey

2013 Mike Williams, Sr.

2014 Aaron Burmeister

2015 Jason Mackey

2016 Matthew Failor

2017 Jessie Royer

2018 Jessie Royer

2019 Lance Mackey

2020 Martin Buser

2021 Matt Hall

 

 


 

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award

This award began in 2007 and is awarded to the individual chosen by the checkers in the checkpoints from Unalakleet to Nome who best epitomizes Herbie Nayokpuk’s spirit of mushing the Iditarod. The winner receives $1,049 in pocket change in a Northern Air Cargo jacket. 

 

2007 Louis Nelson

2008 William Kledehn

2009 Sonny Lindner

2010 William “Middie” Johnson

2011 Paul Johnson

2012 Michelle Phillips

2013 Mikhail Telpin

2014 Newton Marshal

2015 Aaron Burmeister

2016 Ralph Johannessen

2017 Michelle Phillips

2018 Richie Diehl

2019 Aaron Peck

2020 Aaron Burmeister

2021 Brent Sass

 


 

Golden Clipboard Award

The annual Golden Clipboard Award is presented by the Iditarod official finishers to the checkpoint the mushers feel is the most helpful along the trail. 

 

2001 Howard Lincoln at White Mountain

2002 Jan Newton and the crew at Takotna

2003 Pam Nelson and John Korta and the crew at Galena

2004 Shaktoolik

2005 Palmer Sagoonick and the crew at Shaktoolik

2006 Takotna Checkpoint

2007 Eagle Island

2008 Nulato

2009 City of Nikolai

20010 Cripple

2001 Unalakleet

2012 Nulato

2013 Ophir

2014 Galena

2015 Huslia

2016 Nulato

2017 Manley

2018 Shaktoolik

2019 Rohn and Eagle Island

2020 Shakoolik

2021 Skwentna

 


 

Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award

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. Recipient receives an engraved lead crystal trophy and a paid entry fee for the next year’s race.

 

1982 Joe May

1983 Rick Mackey

1984 Burt Bomhoff

1985 Libby Riddles

1986 Rick Atkinson

1987 Dave Olesen

1988 Martin Buser

1989 Frank Teasley

1990 Linwood Fiedler

1991 DeeDee Jonrowe

1992 Rick Swenson

1993 Martin Buser

1994 Bill Cotter

1995 Martin Buser

1996 Dave Sawatzky

1997 Martin Buser

1998 Paul Gebhardt

1999 Rick Mackey

2000 Bruce Lee

2001 Sonny King

2002 Lynda Plettner

2003 Jeff King

2004 Rick Swenson

2005 Aliy Zirkle

2006 Paul Gebhardt

2007 Ed Iten

2008 Jeff King

2009 Lance Mackey

2010 Sebastian Schnuelle

2011 Aliy Zirkle

2012 DeeDee ]onrowe

2013 Jake Berkowitz

2014 Martin Buser

2015 Nicolas Petit

2016 Aliy Zirkle

2017 Jessie Royer

2018 Aliy Zirkle

2019 Aliy Zirkle

2020 Aliy Zirkle

2021 Mille Porsild

 


 

City of Nome Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness Award

Lolly Medley, Wasilla harness maker and one of only two women to run the second Iditarod in 1974, began presenting a golden harness to an outstanding lead dog chosen by the ushers, in 1977. Lolly Medley died in August 1996. The award continues in her honor now presented by the City of Nome. 

 

Year/Dog(s)

1976 Puppy and Sugar

1977 Pilot

1978 Nuggett/Blackie

1979 Digger

1980 Trooper

1981 Silver

1982 Brandy

1983 Preacher and Jody

1984 Bullet/Red

1985 Dugan/Axle

1986 Sister

1987 Blackie

1988 Granite

1989 Ferlin

1990 Tip

1991 Major/Goose

1992 Dusty

1993 Herbie/Kitty

1994 D-2/Dave

1995 Vic

1996 Blondie

1997 Blondie/Fearless

1998 Red

1999 Elmer

2000 Red Dog

2001 Pepi

2002 Bronson

2003 Tip

2004 Tread

2005 Whitesock

2006 Salem

2007 Larry

2008 Babe

2009 Kulig

2010 Maple

2011 Velvet/Snickers

2012 Guinness

2013 Tanner

2014 Beatle

2015 Reff

2016 Reef

2017 Pilot

2018 Russeren

2019 Morrow

2020 K2 and Bark

2021 Gamble

Musher Team

Gerald Riley

Ken Chase

Babe Anderson

Emmitt Peters

Herbie Nayokpuk

Lary Smith

Ernie Baumgartner

Rick Mackey

Dean Osmar

Libby Riddles

Joe Garnie

Herbie Nayokpuk

Susan Butcher

Joe Runyan

Lavon Barve

Rick Swenson

Joe Garnie

Jeff King

Martin Buser

Doug Swingley 

Martin Buser

Martin Buser

Jeff King

Doug Swingley

Paul Gebhardt

Doug Swingley

Martin Buser

Robert Sorlie

Mitch Seavey

Robert Sorlie

Jeff King

Lance Mackey

Ramey Smyth

Jessie Royer

Lance Mackey

John Baker

Dalas Seavey

Mitch Seavey

Dallas Seavey

Dallas Seavey

Dallas Seavey

Mitch Seavey

Joar Leifseth Ulsom

Peter Kaiser

Thomas Waerner

Dallas Seavey

 

 

 


 

Northern Air Cargo 4-wheeler drawing

This award was started in 2008 by Northern Air Cargo, who wanted to present something every musher would have a chance to win. At the banquet in Nome, a key is presented to each musher who then tries to start the 4-wheeler with their key. There is only one right key and the one who starts the 4-wheeler wins. 

 

2008 Sebastian Schnuelle

2009 Robert Nelson

2010 William “Middie” Johnson

2011 Peter Kaiser

2012 Peter Kaiser

2013 Anna Berington

2014 Robert Sorlie

2015 Laura Allaway

2016 Sigrid Ekran

2018 Mitch Seavey

2019 Jeremy Keller

2020 Jessie Royer

2021 Lev Shvarts

 


 

Donlin Gold Snowmachine Drawing

Donlin Gold initiated this random drawing for mushers to win a new snowmachine at the musher drawing banquet in 2013. Not presented since 2015.

 

2013 Curt Perano

2014 Elliot Anderson

2015 Nathan Schroeder

 


 

Golden Stethoscope Award

The Golden Stethoscope Award is presented by the Iditarod Official Finishers to the veterinarian deemed to be most outstanding and helpful along the trail. Firt presented in 1996. Not presented since 2014.

 

1996  Sonny King DVM

1997  Denny Albert DVM

1998  Al Townshend DVM

1999  Caroline Griffitts DVM

2000  Kathleen Bailey DVM, Bryce Finney DVM, Caroline Griffitts DVM, Bruce Pederson DVM,  Bob Sept DVM and Nick Vukich DVM

2001  Mike Gascoigne DVM

2002  Stu Nelson, DVM

2003  Colby Johnson DVM

2004  Kirsten Roberts DVM

2005  Ingrid Wild Haugbjorg DVM

2006  Paul Pifer DVM

2007  Mike Gascoigne DVM

2008  Paul Nader DVM

2009  Denny Albert DVM

2010  Caroline Griffitts DVM

2011  Samantha Yeltatzie DVM

2012  Ruth Kothe & Tanja Kruse DVM

2013  Sterling Thomas DVM and Dirsko Von Pfeil DVM