Kermit Ivanoff checks in Thomas Waerner at the Unalakleet, AK Iditarod checkpoint in first place on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Veteran Iditarod XLVIII musher Thomas Waerner (bib #40), of Torpa, Norway, was the first musher to reach the White Mountain checkpoint today at 5:35 a.m. with 12 dogs in harness. 

Northrim Bank’s Vice President, Commercial Lending Scotty Watkins presented the award to Waerner, which included a $2,500 check and a one-of-a-kind print by Anchorage artist Marianne Wieland. 

“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. We appreciate the opportunity to honor the first musher into White Mountain with the Northrim Bank Achieve More Award,” said President & Chief Executive Officer Joe Schierhorn.

The Northrim Bank Achieve More Award will be re-presented to Waerner at a later date at the Iditarod awards banquet.