Iditarod 52 Special Awards recipients honored at Finisher’s Banquet in Nome

The 2024 Iditarod came to a close last week, and recipients of the special awards that have been named during and after the run of the Last Great Race were presented to mushers during Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race awards banquet in Nome, Alaska on March 17.

Here is a quick rundown of the special awards:

The Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Alaska Award was first given out in 2019. This year, it was given to the first musher to reach the Nikolai checkpoint. The winning musher received a pair of musher’s mitts with Beaver and beaded leather by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath, a beaver handmade by Oline Petruska of Nikolai, and a Pendelton wool blanket from Alaska Air Transit. This year’s winner is Mille Porsild.

GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award, given to the first musher to arrive at the Iditarod checked, has been presented by GCI since 1994. The 2024 award included $3,000 in gold nuggets and a perpetual trophy made of Alaskan birch and marble and featuring a photograph of the late Dorothy G. Page. The winner this year is Dallas Seavey.

The First Musher to the Yukon Award is given to the first musher to the Yukon given at the Ruby checkpoint. The winning musher receives a five-course, gourmet dinner prepared at the checkpoint by Top Chefs from Locally Grown Restaurants, which owns the popular Anchorage eateries Spenard Roadhouse, Snow City Cafe, Crush Wine Bistro and South

Restaurant and Coffeehouse. This year’s winner is Nicolas Petit, who in addition to the meal he enjoyed, will also receive dinner for 12 at South Restaurant and Coffeehouse to be redeemed at his discretion.

Petit also received the Nome Kennel Club Fastest Time from Safety to Nome, with the fastest time from the Safety checkpoint to the finish in Nome. He received check for $500.

The Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award, presented to the first musher to reach the Kaltag checkpoint, was awarded to Travis Beals. He receives a $2,000 check, a certificate for 25 pounds of fresh-caught, Bristol Bay salmon filets, and a wood-burned art piece by BBNC shareholder and artist Apay’uq Moore.

The Ryan Air Gold Coast Award was first given out in 2019. It is given to the first musher to reach the Unalakleet checkpoint. The winning musher receives one ounce in gold nuggets (valued at $1,500), a beautiful hand-carved loon by Mark Tetpon, along with Ryan Air merchandise. This year’s winner is Jessie Holmes.

Northrim Bank Achieve More Award was presented to the first musher to reach the White Mountain checkpoint. The winning musher received a check for $2,500. The winning musher was Dallas Seavey.

Rookie of the Year Award is awarded to the top-placing rookie. In 2024, the musher received a$2,000 check and a commemorative trophy. This year’s winner is Josie Thyr, who finished in 15th place in 10 days, 6 hours, 43 minutes and 37 seconds with 10 dogs in harness.

A new award this year is the Howard Farley Sr. Memorial Award presented by the Nome Kennel Club in memory of Howard Farley, honors perseverance on the trail. All finishers who did not place in the Top 20 were entered for their chance to win $500. This year’s winner is Lara Kittelson.

The Lynden “Committed through the Last Mile” Red Lantern Award, presented since 1973, is given to the final finisher of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Lynden is sponsoring the award was presented to Jeff Reid. In addition to the Red Lantern Trophy, Reid also receives a check for $1,000.

Most Improved Musher Award is awarded to the musher who bettered his/her previous finish by the most places. With a 23 year gap between his Iditarod runnings, with a 40th place finish in 2001 to a 11th place finish this year was Wally Robinson. He receives $2,000 in cash and a commemorative trophy.

Robinson was also presented with the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, presented by the Pike Dog Wellness First Initiative, to the musher that demonstrates outstanding dog care while remaining competitive throughout the race. The award is chosen by the veterinary team, with Robinson receiving a commemorative trophy and paid entry fee for the 2025 Iditarod.

The Donlin Gold Sportsmanship Award, presented to the musher demonstrating sportsmanship, is chosen by fellow mushers. The winning musher was Matthew Failor, who received a $3,000 check and a commemorative plaque.

Failor also received the Northern Air Cargo Herbie Nayokpuk Memorial Award, given to the musher who best emulates “Herbie: The Shishmaref CannonBall” in their attitude on the trail. Race staff and officials choose the recipient. Failor receives $1,049 in “pocket change” inside a Northern Air Cargo jacket and beautiful handmade crafts by the Nayokpuk family.

The Most Inspirational Musher Award, which is sponsored by Hilcorp Alaska as of this year, is selected by fellow mushers and this year’s winner is Jessica Klejka. She receives paid entry fee for the 2025 Iditarod.

The Golden Clipboard Award is presented to the most outstanding checkpoint. This award is chosen by the Iditarod Official Finisher’s Club with 2024 finishing members in attendance. The winning checkpoint is Ophir.

And finally, the City of Nome Lolly Medley Memorial Golden Harness Award, presented in honor of the late Lolly Medley, a Wasilla harness maker and one of two women to run the second Iditarod, is awarded to the most outstanding lead dog. This year’s winning canine athlete, chosen by the mushers, is Aero, from Dallas Seavey’s team. Aero receives an embroidered gold-colored harness.

Congratulations to the recipients and all the mushers of the 2024 Iditarod!