March 23, 2009
The Wells Fargo Awards Banquet was held last night at the Nome Recreation Center. Hundreds of race fans packed the arena for this event that recognized the achievements of the teams that finished Iditarod XXXVII. The following is the list of special awards that were presented.
PenAir Spirit of Alaska Award – Aaron Burmeister received a $500 credit for travel or freight and a beautiful framed mask depicting the spirit of the “team,” for being the first musher into McGrath.
GCI Dorothy G Page Halfway Award – For being the first musher to arrive in Iditarod, Lance Mackey received $2,500 in gold nuggets and a beautiful trophy.
Millennium Hotel Anchorage First to the Yukon Award - Lance Mackey received a nine-course meal for being the first team to Anvik. Tonight Mackey received an additional $3,500 in one dollar bills as the “after dinner mint” for his efforts.
Rookie of the Year – Chad Lindner was the first rookie to pass under the burled arch in Nome. He received $1,500 and a trophy for his efforts.
Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time Safety to Nome – Ramey Smyth completed the trek from Safety to Nome in 2 hours and 27 minutes, receiving $500 for his efforts.
Horizon Lines Most Improved Musher Award – The most improved award was given to Dallas Seavey for going from 41st place in 2007 to sixth in 2009.
Fred Meyer Sportsmanship Award – This award includes $1,000 in Fred Meyer Gift Cards and was awarded to Aaron Burmeister for helping a musher find his team.
Chevron Most Inspirational Musher Award – Trent Herbst received this award for the work he has done in the classroom teaching his fourth grade students all about “The Last Great Race on Earth.” The honor included a trophy and $1,000 worth of Chevron gas.
Golden Stethoscope Award – This award was given to Dr. Denny Albert, the veterinarian deemed most helpful on the trail by the Iditarod Official Finishers Club.
Golden Clipboard Award – Nikolai was given this award for being the checkpoint along the Iditarod Trail that most exemplifies community teamwork.
Alaska Airlines Leonard Seppala Humanitarian Award – Lance Mackey received a trophy and two round trip tickets to anywhere on the Alaska Airlines system. This award is given to a team in the top 20 who has best demonstrated outstanding dog care as voted by a team of veterinarians.
City of Nome Lolly Medley Golden Harness Award – This award honors an outstanding lead dog, chosen by the mushers. This year’s recipient was Kuling a 9-year-old member of Jessie Royer’s team. Kuling has completed seven Iditarods and led this year’s team to an 8th place finish. She has been Jessie’s lead dog for all seven of her Iditarods.
Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award – Sonny Lindner received a free freight allotment on Northern Air Cargo, $1,049 cash, and a trophy.
Wells Fargo Red Lantern Award – Timothy Hunt was the final of the 52 official finishers to cross under the burled arch in Nome. He completed the 1,049 miles in 15 days, 14 hours, 6 minutes, and 22 seconds.