One is reminded of Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth and his fiery speech at Agincourt when observing the interaction among the leaders of The Last Great Race on Earth. These guys all want to win, but the support each one shows for the other mushers is something that would be wonderful to see if emulated in professional sports in the lower 48 - don't hold your breath.
Thought I'd show you up close some of the current leaders, and give you a little more information about each. The biographical information is from The Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC). The photos from top to bottom are: Lance Mackey, Jeff King, Mitch Seavey, Sebastian Schnuelle, and Hugh Neff, the Top 5 at the moment.
Lance Mackey, 38, was born and raised in Alaska. The back to back two time Iditarod champion and four time Yukon Quest champion (and current record holder) says he began mushing "at birth." "I grew up around racing and the Iditarod. I was at the finish line in 1978 to see my father, Dick Mackey, win by one second. In 1983, my older brother, Rick, won. Both my father and brother won wearing bib #13 in their sixth Iditarod." 2007 was Lance's sixth Iditarod and he won wearing bib #13, just as he had planned. Lance is a member of the Board of Directors of the Yukon Quest and a member of P.R.I.D.E. His interests include "Dogs/Family/Dogs!" Lance and Tonya are the parents of Amanda, 20, Brittney, 18, Alanah, 17 and Cain, 16.
Jeff King, 53, was born in California. He came to Alaska in 1975 to "seek adventure." He began mushing in 1976 after he heard Jerry Riley's race finish while listening to the radio. Jeff has an outstanding race record including a Yukon Quest victory in 1981 and four Iditarod victories. He lives with his family on Goose Lake in Denali Park surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. The King's two-story log home is also an art studio for Jeff's wife, Donna, an accomplished medical illustrator and wildlife painter. The owner and operator of Goose Lake Kennels, King breeds, raises and trains 60 to 70 huskies a year. The Kings have three daughters, Cali, 24, Tessa, 22, and Ellen, 17. All the girls have run the Jr. Iditarod and Cali finished the Iditarod.
Mitch Seavey, 49, was born in Minnesota and moved with his family to Alaska in 1963. He graduated from high school in Seward and wrestled for Pacific University in Forest Grove Oregon. He began mushing in 1963. Mitch's dad, Dan, ran the Iditarod in 1973 so he decided he wanted to run the Iditarod some day. After running eleven Iditarods, Mitch won the race in 2004. In 2008, Mitch was the winner of the All Alaska Sweepstakes, held this year as a commemoration of the original All Alaska Sweepstakes. He says his special interests are hunting, USA Wrestling and writing. Mitch and Janine are the parents of four boys, three of whom have run the Jr. Iditarod and the Iditarod, Danny, 25, Tyrell, 22, and Dallas, 20. The youngest, Conway, is 11.
Sebastian Schnuelle, 38, was born in Wuppertal, Germany. After studying Environmental Engineering in Germany he moved to Canada in 1996 "in search of adventure." Sebastian started out in Ontario but then moved to the Yukon in 1997. First working as a motor home rental agent he then opened his tour business, Blue Kennels, which he now runs full time during the winter. During the summer months, he works with Coastal Helicopters out of Juneau Alaska giving helicopter supported dogsled rides on the Juneau Icefield. He's run many mid-distance races and in 2005, 2006, 2007 he ran both the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod. Sebastian is the recipient of the Veterinarians choice award as well as the Sportsmanship award in the 2007 Yukon Quest. "I really enjoyed doing both races back to back and do not have much time for any hobbies."
Hugh Neff, 41, was born in Tennessee. He grew up in Evanston, Illinois and attended Loyola Academy and the University of Illinois. Before moving to Alaska in 1995, Hugh worked as a golf caddy in Evanston, Illinois. He says he moved to Alaska "running down a dream." After reading one of Lew Freedman's books and hearing Hobo Jim's Iditarod song, he began thinking about someday running the Iditarod. He lists his occupation as dog musher and writer. He is a member of P.R.I.D.E., the IOFC, the YOFC and the Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout) and says he enjoys "chasing critters around in the wood." He is married to Tamra.
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This just in: Lance Mackey has arrived at the Unalakleet checkpoint, and was 40 miles ahead of his nearest competitor (Jeff King) on his arrival. More on Unalakleet in the next post.
