Jessie Holmes Wins Historic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

NOME, Alaska (AP) — Jessie Holmes, a former reality television star, clinched victory in the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, finishing in the historic Gold Rush town of Nome, located on the Bering Sea coast. This year’s race commenced on March 3 in Fairbanks, following significant snow shortages that prompted a change in the route and starting point.

The traditional 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race extended to an unprecedented 1,129 miles (1,817 kilometers) across the rugged Alaskan wilderness. Holmes completed the grueling trek in 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes, and 41 seconds.

“It’s hard to put into words, but it’s a magical feeling,” Holmes remarked soon after crossing the finish line. “It’s not about this moment now. It’s about all those moments along the trail.”

This marked Holmes’ eighth Iditarod participation, during which he has finished in the top 10 five times, including a third place in both 2022 and 2023. In his debut Iditarod in 2018, he was honored as Rookie of the Year for his seventh-place finish.

Originally from Alabama, Holmes left home at 18, working as a carpenter in Montana for three years before arriving in Alaska in 2004. He discovered his passion for mushing while training dogs in a remote area along the Yukon River. Now residing in Nenana, he lives a subsistence lifestyle and continues his carpentry work.

From 2015 to 2023, Holmes appeared as a cast member on “Life Below Zero,” a National Geographic series that explores the lives of Alaskans in isolated regions. He expressed pride in his team of dogs: “It’s been a truly amazing 10 days and I soaked in every part of it — the lows, the highs, the in-betweens. … I’m really proud of these dogs and I love them. And they did it. They deserve all the credit.”

This year’s modified Iditarod faced additional challenges beyond lack of snow, including changes to the ceremonial start in Anchorage. Snow was trucked in to cover streets, shortening the usual parade route from 11 miles to under 2 miles (approximately 18 kilometers to under 3.2 kilometers) and also reducing the number of competing dogs. Only 33 mushers entered the race in Fairbanks, tying with the 2023 Iditarod for the smallest field in history. Concerns about the race’s future have emerged amid rising inflation and climate change impacts.

Tragically, one dog—a pregnant female on Daniel Klein’s team—died during the event, prompting Klein to withdraw from the competition. Nearly one-third of the mushers dropped out early, including eight who officially scratched from the race and two who were withdrawn for not being competitive.

Holmes’ victory underscores not only a personal achievement but also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the storied Iditarod, which embodies the spirit of endurance and resilience essential to Alaskan culture.