PHOTOS

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Lance shares a photo moment with Tracey Porreca at the Alaska Ste Fair in Palmer, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Tracey Porreca.

Lance Mackey made a special appearance tuesday May 19th at the Iditarod Gift Shop in the 5th Avenue Mall, Anchorage Alaska. Lance was on hand from 5 and 8 pm to greet Iditarod fans and sign autographs. The Iditarod Gift Shop is located on the first floor of the 5th Avenue Mall in Downtown Anchorage. many fans brought in their favorite Iditarod memorabilia to have it autographed by Lance. Many fans just came to shake the champions hand and talk about the Idiatrod race, share cancer stories and dog care.

Enjoying a little "relax time" in Barbados!


Tonya enjoying a cold drink & a walk in the garden.
Ahhhh.....those cold winter mornings just fade away!

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On Monday May 18th KNBA radio will have Lance Mackey, and Sebastian Schnuelle in the studio and “on the air” from 700am to 900am.  KNBA are then hosting a “meet and greet” the mushers in our first floor conference room from 900 to 1100am.  KNBA would love to invite all the Junior Iditarod Mushers and the Iditarod Mushers to this Meet and Greet event.

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Alaska Mint Strikes Coin for Mackey!
The Alaska Mint has designed the 2009 Iditarod coin with Lance Mackey and his two lead dogs, "Maple" and "Larry" under the burled arch. On the flip side of each coin, it reads "Dreams do come true" .

Available in bronze, silver and 24kt gold relief. You can pre-order yours now at Alaska Mint or through the Mackey Merchandise web page ..

Lance enjoys a little Pennsylvania hospitality - by Walt Tremer
The happy howls of sled dogs, the 90 below wind chill off Norton Sound, and the deep love for Larry his lead dog all came alive this week as Lance Mackey, three time champion of the Iditarod, spun his incredible tales from this year's dog sled race across Alaska.

Students, mushers and mushing fans took a ride in Lance's sled as he lead his team from Anchorage to Nome, through some of the harshest and most challenging environments on earth.
In winning the Iditarod the last three years, and also the Yukon Quest two of those three years, Lance has climbed to the pinnacle of the mushing world. His incredible dogs team, and Lance's training has changed the mushing world forever, as other mushers try to challenge his amazing achievements.
The first checkpoint stop along Lance's Lehigh Valley trail (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton) was the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink, site of the annual "Idita-Skate", a fundraiser for Lance's dogs. In relating their fun in skating "Laps for Lance", the skaters and the champion talked about the challenge and passionate commitment of athletic achievement.

The second checkpoint on Lance's trail was Spring Garden Elementary School in Bethlehem. Lance held spellbound each class of students who had studied the Iditarod, with his stories of the trail, his loving relationship to his dogs, and the challenge of this year's brutal weather along the trail. Endless photos were taken and numerous autographs were carried home, clutched in the small hands of students who swore they were going to be a musher "just like Lance" when they grew up!

The morning presentation was interrupted by a planned surprise - the mayor of Bethlehem arrived and presented Lance with an official proclamation stating that the day was "Lance Mackey Day" in the city.
Lance told all the students to bring their dogs to school next year on "his day"!

The third of Lance's checkpoints consisted of a "Meet and Greet" with gifted students of Southern Lehigh School District, where the students had a chance to informally sit and chat with the champion.

Following this hour, nearly three hundred people came to the auditorium to hear Lance present "The Champion's View Of The Iditarod". Lance talked about the challenge of the trail, the equipment necessary for the brutal cold, and of his love of his dogs. He gave an exciting recreation of his encounter with a moose during the Ceremonial Start, and brought the crowd to near tears with his emotional descriptions of Larry, his famed lead dog and his new lead Maple. Lance swelled with pride each time he spoke of his son Cain, who won this year's Junior Iditarod. Each fan went away with a personalized autographed picture of Lance and a picture taken with the "World's Toughest Athlete".

The next day found Lance at his fourth scheduled checkpoint, the Nitschman Middle School in Bethlehem. A gymnasium full of fascinated students met him, and hung on every word about mushing and the Iditarod. Lance followed the presentation with a visit to the "Sequoia Program" a unique academic group in the school.

That afternoon, Lance celebrated the end of his trail schedule with a visit to the local Harley-Davidson showroom, where he eyed some vehicles a little faster than his dogs, and bought biker gifts for his family.

Pennsylvania is not exactly the mushing capital of the world.... But Lance and his magical visit has created a area of diehard Iditarod and mushing fans in the Lehigh Valley, and people asking "Where can we find a flight to Nome? I want to be there when Lance makes it his fourth in a row. "

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Sandee Alto, left, and her mother, Phyllis Nelson, a longtime North Bend resident, pose in this undated photo. Alto gave a necklace and rosary belonging to her late mother to Lance Mackey to carry through the Iditarod. Contributed photo.

North Bend woman's last adventure - By Joe Hansen, Sports Writer Reprinted from The World Link Oregon - Thursday, March 26, 2009 - Phyllis Nelson wanted nothing more than to see Lance Mackey finish the Iditarod - But the 75-year-old longtime North Bend woman who moved to Anchorage, Alaska, to live with her daughter in 2005 as she battled cancer succumbed to complications from the disease in October, five months before this year’s race.That didn’t stop her from being there, though.As Mackey crossed the finish line a winner in Nome, Alaska, March 18 he carried with him a necklace Nelson was given by her husband on their 25th anniversary — one she never removed during her life — and a rosary her father had given her in the eighth grade.Although they’d never met, Mackey and Nelson, both of whom suffered from cancer during their lives, had formed a kind of relationship through her daughter, Sandee Alto.“They were members of the mutual admiration society, as I call it,” said Alto. “He inspired my mom so much.”Much like the stories of Lance Armstrong or Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, Mackey’s victory over a 2001 throat cancer diagnosis and subsequent three-straight Iditarod victories gave hope to many, but none more so than Nelson.After moving in with Alto in her cabin near the start of the Iditarod, Nelson began loyally following Mackey’s races every year.“She just became totally enthralled with this guy. She’d stay up all night following the races,” said Alto.“She was an avid sports fan,” added Nelson’s other daughter, Susan Peach. “It came naturally for her to become interested in any kind of sports story. ... And she really caught the Alaskan spirit.”When Alto tracked down an e-mail address for Mackey and sent him a note talking about her mom and asking for autographed photos, she was surprised to have Mackey himself reply within 20 minutes, and they got the photos.This year, Alto had promised her mother they’d go to Nome, Alaska, to see the finish of the Iditarod, and meet Mackey and his team of dogs. When Nelson died in October, Alto decided to give her mom a ticket to the whole race, instead.Alto met Mackey for the first time at the musher’s banquet in Anchorage, Alaska, and he agreed to carry Nelson’s necklace and rosary during the race. Alto recalls Mackey was most concerned that if something happened to him on the trail, she might not get her mother’s effects back. Alto said he shouldn’t worry about it; this was what her mom wanted.“Then he said, ‘The only way you’re not getting these back is if I die,’” said Alto.Clearly, Mackey didn’t die.He finished the race in spectacular form, hours ahead of any of his competitors. Nelson’s daughters are glad their mom was along for the ride.“She had one more great, last race,” said Peach.“I really feel like she was with him,” added Alto. “It hit me really hard when they mushed by the cabin. ... It was like, ‘There goes mom. She’s leaving the lake for the last time.’”Alto and Peach attended a memorial service for their mom on Saturday in North Bend, the same day Mackey was celebrating at the musher’s champions banquet in Anchorage.“Saturday, she was busy,” said Alto, for whom the whole experience was a way of giving her mother one last gift. “For me, it’s a love story. I honored my mom. ... I told her we’d get to watch (Mackey) finish the race. She got something better.”

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Senator Murkowski Congratulates Lance Mackey and his Team on Winning Iditarod

2009 Iditarod - Humanitarian Award
Lance receives the Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award which is based on specific criteria to determine who has best demonstrated outstanding dog care through out the Race while remaining competitive. The 2009 recipient was 3 time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey. Lance received a lead crystal cup on an illuminated wooden base and two free round trip tickets to anywhere on the Alaska Airlines system.

This award is given by the race veternarians. Chief veternarian, Stu Nelson said "the 2009 Iditarod had brutal winds, severe cold ...it was tough. It takes exceptional care to make it through a race like this years Iditarod. In honor of Seppala, a pioneer of great dog care, including pre-race we award Lance Mackey the 2009 Humanitarian Award."

Lance accepts the award with tears welling in his eyes and visibly very emotional. He said "I was thinking about this when I reached Nome and the dogs were streaming up to the finish line with power like I’ve never seen. I have 15 dogs who speak for themselves on their greatness. I had virtually no dog problems this year, even up to Unalakleet, I could have written a book on last years problems, but this year was amazing. In Unalakleet the vets said the only problem they could see in my team was long toenails on one of my dogs...are you kidding me? My toenails are probably longer than theirs. All I can say is, I’m proud of my dogs. They deserve this.

A moment.....James & Grandpa Lance.

 

Track the Jr Iditarod with Ion Earth - Click Here

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Cain Carter in the Tustemena 100 photo by Jake

Cain Pulls Bib # 4 for the start - Follow Cain Carter on the 2009 Junior Iditarod - Race Starts February 28th - Cain Carter is geared up and ready to hit the the 2009 Junior Iditarod trail. This will be the last Junior Iditarod Cain is eligible to run, so it has very special meaning for him. A junior musher must be at least 14 but not yet 18 to be eligible for entry in the Jr. Iditarod. a total of 21 mushers have signed up for this weekends race.

The trail typically follows the Iditarod trail from the Wasilla area to the Big Bend of the Yentna River approximately 80 miles from the start. At that point, the mushers take a mandatory 8 to 12 hour layover depending on trail conditions and experience camping out with and caring for their dogs and themselves. The half way point is at Yentna Station Roadhouse . Another checkpoint is located about midway between the start and Yentna Station, in the area of the Susuitna River. Race officials medical and veterinary personnel are available at each checkpoint also.

Cain is prepared, he has been training all winter with his step dad, Lance Mackey, "I'm ready, it should be a good run. The dogs look good. I have trained hard and have run several other mid distance races this winter including the Tustemena 100, (an adult race) where I placed third" says Cain. He will be running 12 dogs, they are Dred, Rev, Pimp, Shasta, Lippy, BoyCuz, Rauncy, Battel, Von and Zenna.

Follow the Junior Iditarod race updates - Click Here

Track the Jr Iditarod with Ion Earth - Click Here

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We have a huge Iditarod trail map on the wall, and we move a little sled along the trail as the miles mount up. In the middle of the rink, we have an oval section for the tiny skaters, so they are not left out. Each skater pays $10 participant fee. Non-skaters (or skaters too!) can sponsor one of Lance's dogs for $25..... they can also sponsor a checkpoint for $25, and a dog food drop bag for the same. special sponsors (usually the rink snack bar!) can sponsor the start line and the finish line for $100. The whole rink is festive with Iditarod!

We take in our Iditarod art collection, which has grown over the years, framed yearly posters, a lot of Van Zyle framed prints, big pictures of the race, and a hanging cabinet with Lance Mackey's #13 Start Bib from 2007. We have a large TV showing last year's Iditarod and other race tapes. We have tables full of Iditarod books, and also odds and ends, like dog harnesses, arctic parkas and hats, drop bags from previous races, anything and everything attached to the Iditarod. We have a bunch of door prizes, souvenirs we got last year, some framed photos of Lance, some Art Cross framed etchings of Zorro and Dred, and other memorabilia from the race. Over the loudspeaker we play Iditarod music, sometimes interviews with Lance. Each year, the skaters look forward to the Idita-Skate. Last year they skated 5,330 laps. If this event gives anyone else the desire to present something like this, we'd be glad to help. Just let us know....

After the event - The annual Idita-Skate has come and gone, and it was a great time! With Hobo Jim's" Iditarod Song" playing in their ears, the young and young-at-heart
skaters flashed around the skating rink last evening, stopping only to get their "Race Card" stamped with a paw print for every mile, ten laps around the rink. The hockey players skated with abandon, while the figure skaters added some artistry to the event.....The little sled keep moving up the trail, marking the total mileage..... Pictures of Lance Mackey's dogs encouraged "race fans" to support individual dogs, "Larry" and "Fudge" being popular.... I wondered how the one family was going to explain the dog named "Pimp" to their 7 year old skater.....Ten minute breaks were loaded with door prizes, ranging from Art Cross framed sketches of "Dred" and "Zorro" to dog- shaped cookie cutters. Booties from last year's race were popular, and came with a distinctive trail odor!

The highlight of the evening came when we called Lance Mackey, found him busy working on the food drop bags, and as always, he graciously took time to talk with the skaters over the rink intercom. The skaters were totally awed! Talking with Lance in Fairbanks! At the end of the "race", the sled and skaters had moved into the Iditarod checkpoint, and the evening ended with a lot of little puppies going home tired but happy! We keep the sponsorship opportunities open until we see Lance in Anchorage. Jan even shamelessly works the airline stewardesses on the plane to Alaska!....Walt & Jan Tremer.

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New photos: Tustumena 200 & Klondike 300

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Follow the Klondike 300
Lance has headed for the Klondike 300 for some training. The Klondike is a 300 mile race from Knik-Goose Bay road in Wasilla, Alaska sponsored by Big Lake Aurora Lions Club. To Follow his progress Click Here

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A natural fit for Lance,
Advanced Botanical Research
We welcome Advanced Botanical Research to the Mackey Comeback Kennel as our newest sponsor and supplier of natural supplements for Lance. "I run myself ragged training and running races. I don't always eat right and it's important for me to stay healthy. I have been using their Complex Essential Fatty Acid supplement, CEFA, to get those needed nutrients my body craves", says Lance. For thousands of years our ancestors turned to nature for healing and nourishment. Advanced Botanical Research has drawn from nature's wisdom to create innovative products to nourish the body naturally from the inside out.

Visit their web site for more information.  

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MACKEY YOU TUBE FUN! CLICK HERE

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• Check here for the Tustumena 200 updates
• Click here for the Tustumena 100 race updates
• Click here for the Junior Tustumena race updates

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Adventures of Alaska RV Rentals Joins the Mackey Comeback Kennel team!
The Mackey Kennel is proud to partner up with Adventures in Alaska RV Rentals of Fairbanks, Alaska. "It's great" says Lance "we travel so much to places that have no accomondations, we used to just sleep in the cab of the dog truck and keep the engine running to keep warm. With Adventures in Alaska RV Rentals, we have all the conviences of home".

Thank you Alaska Adventure RV!

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Lance officially drops out of Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race
SATURDAY JANUARY 24, 2009 - Lance has officially withdrawn from the 2009 Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. The decision was a tough one for the 4 time Quest Champion. A number of things factored into withdrawing from the well known distance race. A commitment to mentor Iditarod rookie musher, Harry Alexie, who is sponsored by the Alaska Army National Guard, was one reason. Having 2 teams signed up for the Iditarod thins the pickings of "spare" dogs to choose from in the event an injury occurs or a dog doesn't make the cut by race time. "It's just the way it is, I can't run them all" he says. Lance also wants to attend this years Junior Iditarod, where step son, Cain will be running his last Junior race. "I'm a father first, and I have never been able to watch Cain run the Junior Iditarod. I have always been off running races myself" he said " it's important to me. I have nothing to prove to anyone, and I think I have my priorities straight".

Lance is signed up to compete in the Tustumena 200 and the 2009 Iditarod.

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  Welcome our newest sponsor
Fox Fury Headlamps!
FoxFury products are designed to outperform in the most demanding environments (including temperature extremes, water proof, pressure, shock, impact…). Fire Fighters, Rescue Crews, Law Enforcement, Investigators, Surgeons, Inspectors, Military and now mushers have come to rely on FoxFury products with a high level of expectation.
Visit their web site for more information

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Tustumena Postponed until January 31
Due to poor trail conditions the Tustumena 200 Board of Directors has decided to postpone the 2009 races for one week. The race will now start January 31 with vet checks and mushers meeting to be held January 30th at the Soldotna Sports Center.

Lance plans to run the 200 mile race. Cain will be running the 100 mile Tustumena. We will see if the weather improves.

A special thank you to all the guardsmen for their endless energy, hard work & support at our races. A very big thank you for all the help given to the Mackey Team during the CB300 race.
Alaska Guard, you rock!

 

Musher, Harry Alexie prepares to run the CB300 Photo courtesy of Northern Light Media

Harry Receives Rookie of the Year in the 2009 Copper Basin 300
Harry Alexie has been working hard training his team up for the Copper Basin 300. Make no mistake, when you are under Lance Mackey's wing, there is no slacking off. You sleep, eat and live, caring for those dogs and yourself. This is what Harry signed on for, pushing the envelope, stepping up to the challenges in front of him. Enduring physically challenging trails, minimal sleep and pushing through temperatures reaching 50 to 60 below is just a small part of it. This is what makes or breaks good leaders in men and women. For Harry, it's paying off, placing 9th out of 26 entrants and receiving the honor of "Rookie of the Year" in the 2009 Copper Basin 300. Congratulations Harry, well done.

Harry is from Kwethluk, Alaska. He is a member of the Alaska National Guard, who is leasing a team from the Mackey Kennel this year. This is a program implemeted to challege guard members and to encourage new recruits.

Harry's unit has also joined in. Following Harry to sled dog races when possible, handling his team at race starts, check points and race finishes, pitching in where needed. "It's a team effort, and we are grateful for them" says Lance "it brings a whole new meaning to Go Guard".

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2009 © photo courtesy of Northern Light Media

Mackey first to cross the finish line at in CB300 at 16:41!
Congrats to Dred, Rev, Larry, Lippy, Hobo, Pimp, Maple, Shasta, Dribble & Lance. Hans Gatt took second in the CB300, coming into Wolverine Lodge about 45 minutes behind Lance. Brent Sass came in third and Sven Haltmann took fourth in the Copper Basin 300. "The temperatures has moderated to only minus three, which almost feels balmy after minus 42 the day before yesterday" repoted Helen Hegener from Wolverine Lodge.

Update: CB300 - 1/12/09 13:00
Mushers are headed for the finish line of the Copper Basin 300. Lance, Hans Gatt & Sven Haltman lead the way. For complete Copper Basin 300 race updates Click here

Follow Helen's Copper Basin Journal:
Having set the (cold) stage, Helen's coverage of the Copper Basin 300 race coverage is underway: Click here

Update: CB300 Mackey Setting the pace! 01/11/09 23:42
Mackey has completed his 8 hour layover in Paxson and now is on his way at 22:30 to the Sourdough checkpoint. It is 60 miles to Sourdough Creek and then 59 miles to race finish at Wolverine Lodge.

Lance at the finish line of the Gin Gin 200

Update: CB300
Paxson, Alaska Sunday 01/11/09
Lance Maceky was first to arrive in Paxson, Alaska, where many mushers will take their 8 hour layover. Mackey arrived at 13:58 running time between Chistochina and Paxson Lodge was 7 hours and 54 minutes (approximately 72 miles) with an average speed of 9.11 mph . Lance says his dogs are running great, the trails are in good condition, hard and fast. When asked if the cold temperatures are a factor in how he is doing, Lance replied " Heck no, I've been testing out some new gear from Canada Goose and it is keeping me toasty warm on the trail, I love it". 119 miles to go to the finish line. Complete Race updates Click here

Photo by HH, Northernlight Media

Mackey Kennel on the trail
Copper Basin 300
The Mackey Kennel is currently running the Copper basin 300. A 300 mile race from Wolverine Lodge on Lake Louise, Alaska, to Sourdough Creek and back to Wolverine Lodge. Temperatures are extreme, ranging from minus 30 to minus 50.

The Copper Basin 300 race route offers a challenge for mushers to follow which includes a variety of interior Alaska conditions. Nicknamed the "Little Iditarod" by seasoned mushers. Harry Alexie is leasing a team from Lance this year, Mackey handler, Braxton Peterson and Lance all are running in this years CB300.

Follow the race progress click here

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A boot that performs!
NEO's joins up with Lance with a "Supporting Sponsorship" this year. Supping the entire Mackey crew with NEO's StableIcers.

It's gear Lance has already been using and loving for Alaska's cold weather training. "My feet get cold on the trail, but ever since I started wearing NEO's my feet have been great" says Lance. "I slip on a pair of wool boots and then the NEO's over that, I'm toasty, even a extreme below zero temperatures!"

NEOS Performance Overshoes are comfortable, waterproof, warm, compact and lightweight. Designed to be worn over your boots. Lance says "NEOS will keep your feet warm and dry". For more information about NEO's and their variety of styles, visit their web site Click Here.

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Purely Alaskan Water Teams up with Lance!
When Lance was told he had cancer back in 2001, it was a jolt to his life. The surgery forced him to make many lifestyle changes. One change was the removal of his saliva glands. Now he had to keep water with him at all times to replace the saliva he no longer produced.

You don't often see Lance without a water bottle slipped into his back pocket or tucked away in his winter coat. It's a necessary part of his life. Purely Alaskan Water now supplies Lance with all the water he can drink. Good Alaskan water. Can't beat that. "It's a real good fit". says Lance. "I am pleased to welcome Purely Alaskan Water as a 2009 sponsor".

Purely Alaskan Water has been serving the state of Alaska with premium-bottled water, crushed ice, and block ice since 1999. Visit their web site and be sure to thank them for their sponsorship.

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Local Alaska National Guard Pitch In!
It's that time of year. A large 12 ton order of meat was recently delivered to the Comeback Kennel. Lance assured the truck driver that he would have help unloading all that frozen meat. The truck driver was skeptical. Lance needed the extra meat to furnish 4 racing teams this year. One of those teams is Harry Alexie, who's regular job is working with the 2nd Battalion 29th Infantry Alaska National Guard in Bethel. They leased a team from Lance, thanks to the Alaska National Guards program to challenge their men & women. Unloading 12 tons of frozen meat is a snap when Harry's Alaska National Guard unit shows up to help.

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Want to read more about Lance Mackey &
the Come Back Kennel? 

 2008 news click here

Older news - click here

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