Tuesday morning, in Nome, Alaska, John Baker crossed under the famous burled arch to win the 2011 Iditarod, doing so in record time: 8 days, 19 hours, 46 minutes, 39 seconds, beating Martin Buser’s 2002 mark by three hours. Baker walked his dogs across the finish line after one of his 10 remaining dogs got tangled just before the end.
Iditarod 2011: John Baker Feeling ‘Real Good’ After Historic Win
It was Baker’s first ever Iditarod win, and the first victory for a native of Western Alaska.
“I feel good. Real good,” Baker said in the finish chute. “Running a team like this, there’s nothing better. They are willing to climb any obstacle and make the most of it. I’m really proud of them.”
Ramey Smyth, known for being the sport’s fastest finisher, couldn’t catch Baker, adding that he’s slept “maybe five hours in six days.”
Baker, a 48-year-old from Kotzebue, pulled away from Willow’s Ramey Smyth on this morning’s 55-mile run from White Mountain to Safety. In doing so, he eliminated Smyth’s chances of sprinting past him on the 22-mile stretch between Safety and Nome, which Smyth dominates with regularity.
Afterward, Baker reflected on the race (alongside his two lead dogs, Velvet and Snickers):
Untitled from Kyle Hopkins on Vimeo.
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