Palmer rider wins first Iron Dog title

WASILLA — After failing to finish the grueling 2,000 miles worth of trail in consecutive years, Palmer’s Tyler Aklestad and his partner Tyson Johnson are Iron Dog Champions.

Pumping his fist in the air, Aklestad crossed the finish line in Fairbanks along with Johnson, of Eagle River, at 12:19 p.m. Saturday. The duo used a total race time of 35 hours, 35 minutes and 22 seconds to grab victory. It’s the first win for either veteran. Aklestad scored the title in his 13th try. Johnson was in the race for the 18th time in his career.

Along with bragging rights comes a $65,000 payday, the cash prize for the Iron Dog champs.

Riding their Ski-Doo sleds, Aklestad and Johnson finished just more than a half-hour ahead of runners-up Todd Minnick and Nick Olstad, a Wasilla pair who hit the finish line at 12:55 p.m. Saturday.

Another all-Valley duo, 22-year-old veteran Brad George and his rookie partner Robby Schachle, finished third in the race, with a total time of 37:42:31. Jason Gundersen and Josh Norum, both of Fairbanks, finished fourth in the race. Nome’s Mike Morgan and Eagle River’s Chris Olds rounded out the top 5.

The 2,031-mile race started Feb. 21 in Big Lake.