Doug Swingley being interviewed.

Doug is from Lincoln, MT, he’s 46 years old, and won the race in 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2001.
He also won the halfway award in 1992 when he was Rookie of the Year.
How do you think he’ll do this year?
They call him the “Miss America” of mushing because he thinks that winning the Iditarod
is like winning a beauty pageant- being interviewed and smiling for all of the photographers.
 

Dee Dee Jonrowe walking off of the stage after her speech.

Dee Dee came in 2nd in 1993 and 1998 and came in 10th last year.
She is from Willow, Alaska. One of her sponsors is Eddie Bauer.

Rick Horstmann signing his autograph for two girls.

Rick is from Montana Creek, Alaska, is 52 years old, and is a rookie this year.
He was flying to Shageluk during the 1997 Iditarod when he
“became fascinated by the idea of driving a dog team across Alaska.”
 

Kids were invited to come up to the stage to sing "The Iditarod Trail" song
with "Hobo" Jim, one of the entertainers of the evening
 

Rick Koch, the president of The Iditarod Trail Committee
 
 

Check awarded to the winner

There are a lot of other prizes awarded along the way to Nome.
Even the last musher to cross the finish line gets The Red Lantern Award.
 
 

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Visit Mrs. Murphy
in Alaska