Iditarod 2007.. As Tough as They Come…
Eighty Two teams left the comforts of civilization on March 4th, 2007 from Willow Lake Alaska with their eyes set squarely on Front Street in Nome. What lay between the start and the finish was a virtual nightmare for some… but for all it was a race that tested their metal on a trail that definitely was “as tough as they come.” For one team, the finish line in Nome was life changing. Lucky number 13 will forever be the brand associated with Lance Mackey’s 2007 victory. His team’s unbelievable win shattered myths and raised the bar at a level that will definitely stand out as one of the most historic years in Sled Dog Race history.
The First Leg…
The first hundred fifty four miles from Willow to Rainy Pass provided the very toughest of trail conditions. Teams cruised through Yentna and Skwentna checkpoints and then began the climb into the heart of the Alaska Range (North America’s largest mountain range) more than 3000 feet higher than where they started. Along the way the lack of snow between Finger Lake and Rainey Pass caused fourteen teams to scratch. Glare ice on top of frozen ground combined with a number of other “natural obstacles” to create situations that led to a number of serious injuries for some mushers like four time Iditarod Champion Doug Swingley, and perennial favorite Dee Dee Jonrowe. Others like Melanie Gould couldn’t go forward because the trail tore their sleds to shreds.
The Storms…
Between Rainey Pass and Nikolai those who survived the first leg of the race were greeted by ground storms that swirled ice and snow around both canine and human at wind speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Two Iditarod mushers lost their way along the trail and were fortunate enough to make it to safety in Rohn. GB Jones and rookie musher Deborah Molburg Bicknell found themselves forging their way through an area aptly named “Hells Gate”. Both mushers decided to scratch in Rohn after their exhausting journey.
The Battle For Number 1…
From Rohn to McGrath the race began to look like an all out battle between two teams who were very familiar with being out in front. Big Lake’s (four time Iditarod Champion) Martin Buser and Denali’s (four time Iditarod Champion) Jeff King were, in mushing terms neck and neck with each other. Buser was the first to arrive in McGrath winning the Penn Air Spirit of Alaska Award minutes in front of King.
The Wind of Change…A Battle Over Tussocks
Between McGrath and Iditarod the front runners found a new challenge. The trail, once again windblown, uncovered tussocks. (a generic term for mounds of grasses and mud that can range from a few inches to several feet high) These frozen tussocks created an opportunity for Fairbanks musher Lance Mackey’s team to gain momentum. Conversely it slowed down the fast pace that Martin Buser was trying to maintain in order to create some separation between his team and the rest of the field. Mackey was the first to arrive in the ghost town of Iditarod winning the GCI Dorothy Page Half Way Award and $3,000 in gold nuggets. It was the first time in the race that there seemed to be a momentum shift at the front of the pack.
Iditarod Checkpoint became the 24 hour resting place for Mackey and others while Buser and King (who had already rested 24 hours in Ophir) continued past them to Anvik. Buser was the first to make it to the village on the banks of the Yukon River, and was greeted with a seven course meal complements of the Millennium Alaska Hotel for being the first musher to arrive, along with $ 3,500. King was right on Buser’s heels only an hour and a half behind him.
The Race to the Gold Coast…
Jeff King was the first to arrive to the Gold Coast Community of Unalakleet. He made his way to the checkpoint at 3:35 in the afternoon claiming the Wells Fargo Gold Coast Award a beautiful hand carved trophy and $2,500 in gold nuggets. By the time King made it to Unalakleet Lance Mackey had taken command of second place leading Martin Buser by only two minutes; Mackey arrived at 4:20 and Buser at 4:22. Kasilof musher Paul Gebhardt had also made an impressive run from Kaltag to Unalakleet and leap up to third place arriving at 4:27. Gebhardt made a bold move to leave Unalakleet before any of the other leaders (especially Mackey) realized. It was then that Mackey made the decision to forge ahead up the gold coast… he passed Gebhardt and cruised into first place before reaching Shaktoolik. From that point forward, Lance Mackey extended his lead and never looked back.
On to Nome…
Mackey was the first to arrive under the burled arch in Nome. Many of his team members were very well traveled. Thirteen (There’s that number again) members of Lance’s Yukon Quest Championship team were a part of his sixteen member Iditarod Championship team. He became the third member of his family to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. His Father Dick won the race in 1978 defeating Rick Swenson in a dash to the finish line. In 1987, Lance’s brother Rick won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race too. All three Mackey’s wore the same bib number… 13! Lance Mackey just happened to arrive in Nome at 8:08 pm on March 13th, 2007. The stars were definitely aligned.
Not too far off in the distance was Paul Gebhardt arriving in Nome at 10:28 pm on March 13th.
A Sprint to the Finish…
The 2007 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race was far from over. Zack Steer from Sheep Mountain had gained significant real estate between Unalakleet and Nome. His team had moved fast enough to overcome two very surprised race veterans, Jeff King and Martin Buser. Steer was able to pass both mushers and claim third place. He was followed by Buser and then King rounding up the top five.
The Widow’s Lamp…
Over the course of the next 8 days Iditarod Sled Dog Race teams continued to stream in to Nome. When they finally reached the Burled Arch on front Street they transformed from competitors to “Finishers.” At 2:56 am, on March 20th, Iditarod Rookie and Official Finisher Ellen Halverson (from Big Lake) completed the cycle that began in Willow Alaska on March 4th. Ellen was greeted by a large crowd of well wishers and fans, and was awarded the 2007 Wells Fargo Red Lantern Award. She blew out the Widow’s Lamp signifying the end of the 2007 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race; a race of epic proportion, of great achievements, of tremendous emotions. The Last Great Race on Earth lived up to its reputation… it truly was “As Tough As They Come.”