The 49th Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race concluded with a familiar winner and a record-tying finish.
Musher Dallas Seavey won his record-tying fifth Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race championship on Monday by crossing the finish line at 5:08 am Alaska Daylight Time.
The veteran musher crossed the finish line in seven days, 14 hours, eight minutes and 57 seconds with 10 dogs in harness.
“Dallas Seavey’s win in Iditarod 49 epitomizes the grit, determination and perseverance for which our race is synonymous,” said Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach said in a statement.
Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Aaron Burmeister and his team of dogs leave the Iditarod starting area in Willow, Alaska, on Sunday, March 7.
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Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Matt Failor drives his team toward Rainy Pass on Monday, March 8.
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Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Susannah Tuminelli’s team is seen at the beginning of the race.
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Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Dr. Jodie Guest tests Failor for Covid-19 at a mobile clinic in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 3. Testing is required for Iditarod mushers before and during the race.
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Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Ryne Olson sits with her 7-year-old dog Dolly, who is named after Dolly Parton, at the Ophir checkpoint on Wednesday, March 10.
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Four-time Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey rounds a corner on the Susitna River.
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Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Ryan Redington leaves the Rohn checkpoint after a quick stop. He is carrying straw for his team to rest during the long run to Nikolail.
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Seavey leans over for a high-five at the start of the race.
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Lev Shvarts’ team runs at the beginning of the race.
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Photos: The 2021 Iditarod
Pete Kaiser naps under his coat during a stop at the Rainy Pass checkpoint.
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“This year, teams were challenged unlike ever before, which included traversing the notorious Dalzell Gorge and Alaska Range twice, and Dallas showed incredible adaptability with being able to excel in arctic camping, strategic run timing and dog whispering in concert with our stringent COVID-19 protocols. Congratulations to Dallas and we thank Iditarod Nation for their support this year.”
During this year’s race, Seavey also won the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award, The Lakefront Anchorage First Musher to the Yukon Award, the Ryan Air Gold Coast Award and the Northrim Bank Achieve More Award.
With the victory, Seavey tied Rick Swenson for most Iditarod championships.
This year’s race was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the traditional awards banquet will not take place.
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