Hello friends,
The 2026 Iditarod is officially done. The Finisher’s Banquet was last night for final awards as well as celebrating the teams who crossed under the Burled Arch in Nome. Jesse Holmes won everything along the trail including the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award, the GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award, and the First to the Yukon Award. At the banquet he also won the 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 who best epitomizes Herbie Nayokpuk’s spirit of mushing the Iditarod.
A few other awards:
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 finishing musher in the top 1/3 of the field who has the fastest time from Safety to Nome.
2026 Recipient: Jeff Deeter
Glenfarne Alaska LNG 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. This award is given to the musher who has improved by the most places from their previous career top finish. The winner received $2,000 in cash and a commemorative trophy.
2026 Recipient: Hanna Lyrek
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.
2026 Recipient: Ryan Redington
Hilcorp Alaska Most Inspirational Musher Award
Presented since 1986 to the most inspirational musher, the recipient of the Most Inspirational Musher Award is chosen by fellow mushers. The winner receives a paid entry fee for the following year’s Iditarod.
2026 Recipient: Paige Drobny
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. Starting in Iditarod 2023, this award is now presented by the Pike Dog Wellness First Initiative. Recipient receives an engraved lead crystal trophy and a paid entry fee for the next year’s race.
2026 Recipient: Riley Dyche
And the most important award:
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 mushers, in 1977. Lolly Medley died in August 1996. The award continues in her honor now presented by the City of Nome.
2026 Recipient: Polar & Zeus from the team of Jessie Holmes
Congratulations to all who dared to start the 2026 Iditarod! We hope to see you next year.
Tail wags,
Zuma
