Doors opened for the Finisher’s Banquet of Iditarod XLI at 1500, (actually now that the race is over we can go back to civilian time 3:00 pm). Folks filed in, claimed what they hoped would be a good seat then anticipated an outstanding dinner served by the Millennium of Anchorage. Mushers, fans, family and friends came away from the buffet lines with plates of fruit, lettuce salad, cheese, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, shrimp, halibut and prime rib. Desserts were delicious but too numerous to mention.  Here’s a list of the special awards that were presented and recipients.

PenAir Spirit of Alaska – First to McGrath – Aaron Bermiester

GCI Dorothy Page Halfway Award – First to Iditarod – Lance Mackey

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Gold Coast Award – First to Unalakleet – Mitch Seavey

Jerry Austin Rookie of the Year – Joar Leifseth Ulsom

Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety – Ramey Smith

Horizon Lines Most Improved Musher Award – Nicholas Petit

Sportsmanship Award – Cim Smyth for his never ending willingness to help fellow mushers and checkpoint personal.

Exxon Mobil Musher’s Choice Award – Mike Williams, Sr. an inspiration to all

Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayok puk Award – Mikhail Telpin. Telpin received a heavily insulated work jacket with 1049 dollar bills stuffed in the pockets.

Golden Clipboard – the Checkpoint of Ophir

Golden Stethoscope Award – Vets Sterling Thomas & Dirsko Von Pfeil

Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award – Jake Berkowitz

City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award – Tanner, Mitch Seavey’s Leader

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Red Lantern – Christine Roalofs

Northern Air Cargo 4-wheeler – Anna Berington

Winners Check $50,400 – Mitch Seavey

Dodge Truck – Mitch Seavey

Garland of Roses – Tanner & Taurus

All of the mushers were off the trail prior to the Finisher’s banquet. The Widow’s Lamp had been extinguished. The 41st Last Great Race of 2013 is in the record books. Mushers and dogs are on their way home. Mushers are considering new, perhaps untried strategies for the 42nd Iditarod. To sum up this race and how all Iditarod Races are unique, here’s a quote from Jodi Bailey as she finished in Nome, “It’s the same red line on the map with different weather and luck.”