It was a father-and-son finish this morning to the 2015 Iditarod – the first time that’s ever happened in the 43-year history of the 1,000-mile race across Alaska.
Dallas Seavey was first to cross the finish line in Nome just after 4 this morning. It was Seavey’s second consecutive win and his third overall, in the past four years.
Coming in second was Seavey’s father, Mitch, who crossed the finish line at about 8:20 this morning.
The younger Seavey, clearly exhausted, summed it up this way: “Got ‘er done...”
This year’s was re-started here in Fairbanks, after a ceremonial start in Anchorage, due to poor snow conditions along the traditional Southcentral route. It was the second time the Iditarod has been re-started here.
The 2015 race lacked the last-minute surprises that led to his victory last year—when dramatic weather resulted in a last-minute scratch by frontrunner Jeff King, reshuffling the race in Dallas Seavey’s favor.
Seavey told the throng of spectators under the burled arch at the finish line in Nome that the win was a result of passion for the sport, and his team.
“So far I’ve just been doing what I love, man. Mushing dogs, making it fun, keeping it fun,” he said. “And it seems as long as you take of the dog team, make good decisions, good things will happen. The wins are a result of doing what we love.”
For his first-place finish, Seavey wins a $70,000 purse and a new Dodge pickup truck. The winnings of both father and son totaled $128,600.
Veteran musher Aaron Burmeister arrived in Nome in third place. He was followed by Jessie Royer and Alie Zirkle.
Editor's Note: This report was based on a story by Matt Smith, KNOM Radio, in Nome.
