Iditarod champ wins Sheep Mountain 150

SHEEP MOUNTAIN — A former Iditarod champion capped an exciting race to the finish with a win in the Sheep Mountain 150 on Sunday.

Jeff King came from behind to pass Aliy Zirkle late and edge the runner-up by only two minutes to win the annual race, which starts and finishes at Sheep Mountain Lodge along the Glenn Highway north of Chickaloon.

Zirkle led deep into the race, but King was able to pass during the final minutes. King hit the finish line at 2:50 p.m., and earned the first-place prize of $1,720. Zirkle scored $1,250 for her second-place finish. Richie Diehl finished third at 3:36 p.m., and also won $1,250.

The Sheep Mountain 150 is the first major race of the mushing season in Alaska.

Sheep Mountain 150

Into finish (Sunday):

1. Jeff King, 2:50 p.m.; 2. Aliy Zirkle, 2:52 p.m.; 3. Richie Diehl, 3:36 p.m.; 4. Jake Berkowitz, 3:42 p.m.; 5. Judy Currier, 3:46 p.m.; 6. Jerry Willomitzer, 3:50 p.m.; 7. Bruce Linton, 3:51 p.m.; 8. Ray Redington, 4:06 p.m.; 9. Maria Hernetkoski, 4:16 p.m.; 10. Kelly Griffen, 4:17 p.m.; 11. Ryne Olson, 4:19 p.m.; 12. William Kleedehn, 4:29 p.m.; 13. Abbie West, 4:30 p.m.; 14. Michelle Phillips, 4:43 p.m.; 15. Martine Levier, 4:44; 16. Jason Mackey, 4:50 p.m.; 17. Ken Anderson, 5:12 p.m.; 18. Anjanette Steer, 5:34 p.m.; 19. Kelly Maxiner, 5:40 p.m.; 20. Robert Bundtzen, 5:43 p.m.; 21. Nicolas Petit, 5:45 p.m.; 22. Guro Eidal, 5:46 p.m.; 23. Maren Bradley, 5:57 p.m.; 24. Mitch Seavey, 6:02 p.m.; 25. Braxton Peterson, 6:03 p.m.; 26. Travis Cooper, 6:21 p.m.; 27. Trent Herbst, 6:28 p.m.; 28. Matt Giblin, 6:49 p.m.; 29. Andrew Benkendorf, 7:08 p.m.; 30. Eric Rogers, 7:06 p.m.; 31. Anna Berington, 7:08 p.m.; 32. Heidi Sutter, 7:08 p.m.; 33. Ed Hopkins, 7:12 p.m.; 34. Emily Thiem, 7:16 p.m.; 35. Louie Ambrose, 7:36 p.m.; 36. Dallas Seavey, 7:39 p.m.; 37. Rob Cooke, 8:10 p.m.; 38. Mark Walker, 20:19 p.m.; 39. Kristen Knight, 8:55 p.m.; 40. Misha Pederson, 9:18 p.m.; 41. Arnauld Wilmot, 10:09 p.m.; 42. Bill Piccolo, 10:22 p.m.

Scratched: Robert Tasso; Cindy Abbott.