One Of These Things Is Not Like The Others.

Jamaican Newton Marshall is still in the Iditarod. He's in 48th position (out of 57 mushers) currently. Defending champion Lance Mackey is in the lead, but it looks to be a true race to the finish this year, with Hans Gatt and Jeff King right on his tail! The three leaders are out of White Mountain, which means there's only a quick breeze through Safety before it's on to Nome! Lance is two hours ahead at last update, but King and Gatt's teams are running a bit faster. Eep! Even though I don't think anyone can catch Lance, it ain't over 'til it's over, and this one's a nail biter! (Though I must confess that as long as Marshall and Jonrowe finish, I'm good. I'm also rooting for Blake Freking to finish, since his wife is a real sweetheart and a colleague. Some of you may remember her from this entry last year.) Head over here for more updates, and for a new fun video staring Newton, head on over to Margaritavision here!

This. Is. Huge.

Last weekend, I was sitting in a family bar and restaurant along the Allagash River in far Northern Maine. I got into a discussion with the radio operator (yes, they have radio operators there - don't bother to bring your cell phone) about that little race the Alaskans start every year the same weekend as our Can-Am shindig. No big surprise there. Dog sled folks often talk about the Iditarod, it seems.

Well, this gentleman and I somehow wandered over to the "nine day barrier" and whether we thought anyone would ever break it. We both agreed that someone eventually would - the times were just getting too close for it to remain elusive forever.

The radio guy postulated that if anyone could do it, Lance Mackey could.

DAMN RIGHT.

Lance Mackey finished the Iditarod at 8 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 9 seconds earlier today.

Damn. Lance Mackey: Only guy to win the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year - twice (in 2007 and 2008), only guy to win four straight Iditarods, and now he's broken the nine day barrier. Impressive. For the record, Hans Gatt made a valiant effort to catch Lance, making up an hour, but no one could match Mackey once he turned it on in Kaltag. I'm not usually one for the favorite (and Lance is the favorite in recent years) but I always love to see Mackey win. His team is beauty on paws, he's rumored to be a really nice guy, and he's a cancer survivor. You can't beat that.

Oh, and FYI, the Jamaican is still running 48th (I suspect he's taking a required layover right now) and his lead/swing dog is none other than Larry, the dog who led Lance Mackey into Nome a few years back. Mackey has been training the Jamaican Dog Sled Team this season. Like I said, you can't beat that.