In White Mountain, Jeff told me he didn’t care what position he finished in because he was just having so much fun on the race trail and was so proud of the dogs. But I told him I wanted the bigger trophy that comes with 3rd place, so he delivered 😉
Jeff also won the “Fastest Run Time from Safety to Nome” award! He’s been eyeing this accolade since his first Iditarod in 2008, because it demonstrates a musher’s ability to balance their team’s need to both run and rest. The winner of this award is selected from the Top Third of the field.
Jeff completed the 2026 Iditarod in 3rd place at 5:10 am! Eight dogs on the line at the finish — Moose & Bjorn, Johnny & Legend, Marley, Lynx & Salvador, and Arthur. Oyvind got left in Safety with a sore hindend. Jeff said he was working hard up all the Topkok hills! He will join us in Nome later today.
Good work, team!!! 🖤🌲
They’re off! Iditarod 2026 has officially begun. If you haven’t already, remember to become an Iditarod Insider so you can have access to the Live tracker and watch interviews from the trail!
The Ceremonial Start of the 2026 Iditarod did not disappoint. Watch to the end to appreciate our favorite cheering section. Thank you for helping us “slow down” and for showering our team with affection! They loved it 🖤🌲
👀 What you see: Our slick rig headed to Anchorage for the Iditarod start! 🫣 What you don’t see: A broken leaf spring on the trailer 🙈 Although this has happened before, I’m on my own today. (Well, I’m with the dogs, but this isn’t really a job for them.) So after some FaceTiming with Jeff, I have it McGuivered, and am on the road again! 👩🏻🔧 Surprisingly, only one person stopped to ask if I needed help. It was a single woman who said she couldn’t actually help, but told me I “looked cute and like I knew what I was doing.” 💅
Last in the 2026 lineup- Shucks!
This boy’s a star! First Iditarod for him, but I’ve got high hopes. His first race was the Kusko 300 this year, and he powered to the finish in lead- what an accomplishment!
Shucks is a gifted off trail leader, and as long as he doesn’t wear himself out early on, the Coast is going to be his game.
In many ways, Shucks reminds me of his great-uncle, Qarth.
I love you pal!🎇
The three-year-olds- Louis, Stannis and Salvador
These boys are a real hoot, and represent a wide array of personality types.
Louis is all business while in harness, and is a good leader once we are a few miles down the trail (he’s got to get the “wiggles” out early on…).
Stannis is a beautiful trotter, and moves well through almost any trail condition. The group dynamic is still a struggle for Stannis, and he is working to find his place among the veterans of the team.
Salvador is a total card- full of spunk and attitude, and no filter when it comes to his feelings. Similar to Stannis, the group dynamic gives him issues (his personal space bubble is LARGE…). Salvador is currently dog #17 for the big race, so he’s only making it to the start line if someone else drops out. Don’t worry buddy, we love you anyway…
Let’s go boys!🫡
#blacksprucedogsledding #iditarod
The four-year-olds- Johnny, Prophet and Legend.
Legend and Johnny are muscle!💪 Weighing in at 60 pounds, they are the heaviest members of this year’s team. And they put this physic to work!
Legend has had an excellent young career, and run numerous races since 2024, finishing almost all.
Johnny has not had the luck when it comes to racing- suffering numerous injuries and having multiple issues in almost every event he has attempted. He is certainly an underdog on the team. Johnny does bring the drive, and will be one of my fastest leaders this year (stay healthy Johnny!).
Prophet is easy-peasy, cool and collected. This means he’s also not a hard worker. 🤣 He’s had a great year- finishing the Kusko 300 in lead, and making it to the Yukon River Bridge in the Quest. But, his “mellow” work ethic currently has him ranked as dog #18, and he will therefore not be at the start line this year.
You boys bring me joy!🙌
#blacksprucedogsledding #iditarod
Marley and Natalie
These two are some of my most valuable team members, and epitomize what it means to be consistent.
Natalie is an excellent leader, and won the Quest with me in lead last year, and has finished all of the races she has started.
Marley does lead when asked, but prefers the middle/back of the team, and is one of our best wheel dogs (navigating the lines on a tricky trail with ease). This boy is SOLID and never misses an opportunity to eat (even if the food isn’t his…).
You two are just the best!🥰
#blacksprucedogsledding #iditarod
Bjorn and Oyvind
These two brothers are “same, same, but different.” Bjorn is a hard driving, muscle man, with a real talent for leading. Oyvind is very much life of the party, and loves nothing more than to scream his head off the ENTIRE time he’s in harness, while not actually working all the hard🙄. Paired together, they complement each other well, and have successfully finished most of the races they have entered.
You boys are a trip! 🧭🤘
#blacksprucedogsledding #iditarod
