They range from the winningest musher in the history of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to a Takotna checkpoint volunteer whose homemade pies may be anticipated as much as the finish line in Nome.
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Joe Redington
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Dick Mackey
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Martin Buser
The 19 members of the Anchorage Daily News Iditarod Hall of Fame run the spectrum -- from racers, to artists, to longtime checkpoint officials, to authors to veterinarians. Whether they live in Nome, Anchorage, Takotna or Ruby, all have helped make the Iditarod the premier sled dog race in the world.
Every year since the inaugural class was inducted in 1997, a group of journalists, with contributions from racers and race watchers, discuss whether any new members should be added.
To help its deliberations, the committee is seeking nominations from the public. Nominees can be racers of distinction, officials or some of the many volunteers whose efforts help make staging Alaska's Super Bowl possible.
On this page you'll see a list of the current Hall of Fame members.
You can nominate someone for consideration one of several ways:
• Online: Write a note in the comments area below this story.
• By Mail: Iditarod Hall of Fame, Anchorage Daily News sports department, P.O. Box 149001, Anchorage 99514-9001.
• By Fax: 1-907-257-4342.
In addition to the name of your nominee, please include a few paragraphs describing why the nomination belongs in the Hall of Fame. And please include contact information -- a phone number and e-mail address, if you know them -- for the nominee.
Remember, nominees don't have to be racers. Anyone who has significantly contributed to the race is eligible.
Lance Mackey
Fairbanks • Inducted 2009
Four-time champion, cancer survivor.
Jan and Dick Newton
Takotna • Inducted 2008
Longtime checkpoint volunteers.
Jon Van Zyle
Eagle River • Inducted 2004
Iditarod artist, volunteer.
DeeDee Jonrowe
Willow • Inducted 2003
Crowd-favorite and two-time runner up with 24 consecutive starts.
Leo Rasmussen
Nome • Inducted 2002
Six-term Nome mayor and longtime race booster.
Doug Swingley
Lincoln, Mont. • Inducted 2001
Four-time champion was best Outside musher in race history.
Don Bowers
Willow • Inducted 1999
Author and musher who loved the Iditarod mystique. Died in 2000, a year before his induction.
Jeff King
Denali Park • Inducted 1999
Four-time champion who retired after 2010 race with victories in every major Alaska distance mushing race.
Martin Buser
Big Lake • Inducted 1998
Four-time champion is the race’s speed record holder and a four-time winner of Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award.
Susan Butcher
Manley • Inducted 1997
Four-time champion finished in top-10 in 15 of her 17 races; she died in 2006 and remains the top woman musher in race history.
Rick Swenson
Two Rivers • Inducted 1997
Five-time champion is winningest musher in race history. Has started 34 Iditarods, finishing 32.
Emmitt Peters
Ruby • Inducted 1997
In winning as a rookie in 1975, the “Yukon Fox” sliced six days off the race record.
Libby Riddles
Fritz Creek • Inducted 1997
Her brave dash across Norton Sound in a blizzard turned her into the first woman champion.
Joe Redington Sr.
Knik • Inducted 1997
Father of the Iditarod, his vision and perseverance got the race started. Died in 1999 at age 82, just a decade after his final top-10 finish.
Herbie Nayokpuk
Shishmaref • Inducted 1997
Highly respected “Shishmaref Cannonball” was revered across Alaska for his savvy and skill.
Jerry Austin
St. Michael • Inducted 1997
Three-time winner of the Sportsmanship Award, he helped many mushers in trouble along the trail. Died last year.
Bob Sept
Anchorage • Inducted 1997
Former chief veterinarian took over as Iditarod president in 1983 with the race heavily in debt and guided it back to health.
Dick Mackey
Nenana • Inducted 1997
Won the closest Iditarod in history, beating Rick Swenson in a photo finish.
Joe Delia
Skwentna • Inducted 1997
Longtime checker who lived in Skwentna for more than 50 years. His open-door policy contributed to the warmth of the Iditarod .
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