wabbit's warren

NOME -- Twenty-six-year-old Jamaican Newton Marshall became the first person from that Caribbean island nation to finish the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as he crossed the finish line here at 7:27 p.m. AKDT.

Newton, who finished in 47th place, had an elapsed time of 12 days, four hours and 27 minutes from the start line in Willow, 908 trail miles away.

Marshall was sponsored by Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant and supported by four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey, who provided training and support. Marshall's team consisted primarily of dogs from Mackey's kennel, most notably Larry, a lead dog that guided Mackey to seven wins in 1,000-mile races.

Mackey embraced Marshall at the finish line, saying "It's all you ... it's all you," as a crowd of several hundred erupted in cheers.

In addition to his official sponsorships, Marshall received an enormous amount of support from spectators along the trail. "At every checkpoint, there was somebody going, 'I'm rootin' for Newton, go Newton!'," he said.

It wasn't always smooth sailing for Marshall, however. "There was good and there was bad out there, but I think everybody has that in the game. ... Fifty below is too cold for me, so I kinda stayed back a little bit because I knew I would get frostbite on my fingers ... just to save my fingers.

"Rainy Pass ... was hell and back for me. I thought I was going to die at one point because I couldn't see the trail, couldn't see my team. My face was getting frostbite and stuff ... but it's all past and gone."

Marshall was repeatedly asked if he'll consider running the Iditarod again. "You never know," he said. "We just need more sponsors. If we could get a couple more sponsors, definitely."

As spectators handed him wrapped food and gifts, he grinned and said, "I can't die for hungry right now. I almost feel like an Alaskan."

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On a personal note, DeeDee Jonrowe finished 22nd and Blake Freking finished 42nd, so I'm good. My favorites and those I know are across. But five people are still out there, and I wish them the best (especially the rookie 37 year old woman who is in the Red Lantern position), too. It's not over until everyone is in Nome, folks. And everyone is. Done for another year.

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!