Iditarod just about done for Valley mushers

MAT-SU — As of Thursday afternoon, more mushers had arrived in Nome than were still on the trail in the 2013 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Mitch Seavey, 54, of Seward, was the winner. As far as Valley mushers go, in fourth place was his son and 2012 Iditarod champ, Dallas Seavey, of Willow, who was the top Valley finisher.

During the preceding days, the race was a three-way battle between the elder Seavey, Aliy Zirkle — who has finished second to a Seavey for the past two years — and four-time champion Jeff King giving chase in the three spot.

Last year, Seavey’s son notched a spot in history as the youngest musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and this year his dad placed a bookend on that win when at age 54 he became the oldest musher to win. It has been nine years since the senior Seavey was first to cross beneath the burled arch in 2004.

Other Valley mushers to finish as of Thursday afternoon include:

• In fourth place, Ray Redington Jr.

• In eighth, Big Lake’s Jake Berkowitz.

• In 10th, DeeDee Jonrowe of Willow.

• In 15th place, Cim Smyth of Big Lake.

• In 17th place, Martin Buser of Big Lake, a four-time champ whose early race and unorthodox schedule surprised everyone, but who couldn’t hold the lead.

• In 20th place Ramey Smyth of Willow, who placed third last year.

• In 26th place, Kelley Griffin of Wasilla.

• In 28th place, Matt Failor, of Big Lake, who was mushing Buser’s B team.

• In 29th place, Linwood Fielder of Willow.

• In 31st place Kelly Maixner of Big Lake, who participated on a series of stories during the race with the Frontiersman.

• In 32nd place, Wade Marrs of Wasilla.

Still on the trail were Justin Savidis, of Willow; Karin Hendrickson of Wasilla; Gerald Sousa of Talkeetna; and James Volek, a rookie out of Big Lake, who was two spots up from the back of the pack.

So far, only two Valley teams scratched. Both Jason Mackey, of Meadow Lakes and Rudy Demoski Sr., of Wasilla dropped out on Tuesday in Unalakleet.

Demoski, who returned to the sport after 27 years away, finished fourth when he first ran the Iditarod in 1974. He told the Iditarod that he was calling it quits out of concern for his team.

Mackey also was returning to racing after a hiatus. He told race officials he was bowing out due to personal illness.

Contact reporter Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.