Mitch Seavey Becomes Oldest Iditarod Champ

“This is for all of the gentlemen of a certain age,” he said after crossing the finish line in Nome, Alaska.

Mitch Seavey became the oldest Iditarod champion, a two-time winner, when he drove his dog team under the burled arch in Nome on Tuesday. Here he sits with his two lead dogs, Tanner (left) and Taurus.

Image by The Anchorage Daily News, Bill Roth / AP

NOME, Alaska (AP) — A 53-year-old former champion has won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to become the oldest winner of Alaska’s grueling test of endurance.

Mitch Seavey and 10 dogs crossed the Nome finish line to cheering crowds at 10:39 p.m. Alaska time Tuesday night.

Source: hosted.ap.org

Musher Mitch Seavey arrives at the Unalakleet, Alaska, checkpoint Sunday.

Image by Bill Roth / AP

Mitch Seavey won the Wells Fargo Gold Coast Award, $2,500 worth of gold nuggets, for being the first musher to reach the Unalakleet.

Image by Bill Roth / AP

Mitch Seavey puts booties on his dogs before leaving White Mountain in Alaska.

Image by Bill Roth / AP

More boot putting-on.

Image by Bill Roth / AP

Mitch Seavey begins the run from White Mountain to the race’s finish in Nome, Alaska.

Image by Bill Roth / AP