This may be the last for some of mushing’s great competitors

For those who watch the Iditarod, this could be a bittersweet race. Some past champions hint — or have said outright — that this 1,000 miles might be their last.

A short time before this Iditarod, Lance Mackey — three-time Iditarod and four-time Yukon Quest champion — said in a television interview that those races have taken a toll on his body.

Similar sentiments have come from Jeff King and Hans Gatt. While Gatt has never won the Iditarod — at least at the time of this printing — he has been the Quest champion three times.

King, winner of the Iditarod four times, is trying for his fifth, and possibly his last.

Martin Buser, four-time Iditarod champion and race record holder for fastest time, also said in an interview that he was running this one for the pure joy of it, a strong indication competitive mushing may be over for him.

These sentiments may change. Champions, no matter the sport, sometimes have a hard time letting go.

If these mushing greats do decide to leave the races where they’ve left their mark, we shouldn’t be too disappointed.

Even if their frosted faces won’t be out there, their presence will be felt.

These men will be leading a changing of the guard.

Over the years, they’ve built outstanding kennels through generations of breeding the best dogs for long-distance racing anywhere in the world.

At the same time, we are seeing some emerging youngsters who are showing they can compete with the best and they will surely get better with experience.

Should these two forces mingle — great dogs and young, spirited mushers — future champions, maybe even dynasties, might emerge.

The only downside on the horizon is whether Iditarod officials can somehow improve the financials.

The purse is down from a couple of years ago despite an increase in entry fees and sponsorship has dipped recently. That’s probably due, in part, to national economic woes.

It would indeed be a loss if the Iditarod, Alaska’s signature sport, becomes less than great because there isn’t enough support for it.

Here’s hoping the money troubles are resolved so we will never truly see the last Last Great Race.