Lance Mackey Wins Second Straight Iditarod

NOME, Alaska (AP) — Lance Mackey has won his second consecutive Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race in Alaska.

The 37-year-old throat cancer survivor and his 11 dogs completed the 1,100-mile journey across Alaska in just under nine and a half days, crossing the finish line early Wednesday morning.

For much of the race, Mackey battled for the lead with four-time winner Jeff King. He also struggled with dogs stricken with diarrhea and slowed by unseasonably warm weather.

Mackey says he doesn’t brag much, but he’s “going to this time.” He says he’s been blessed with an “incredible” dog team.

Last year, Mackey became the first musher to win back-to-back runs in the Iditarod and the Quest International Sled Dog Race.

The Iditarod commemorates a run by sled dogs in 1925 to deliver lifesaving diphtheria serum to Nome.