Reality Check: Former TV Personality Jessie Holmes Wins Iditarod

Jessie Holmes, a Nenana-based musher who was a featured performer on the National Geographic Alaska adventure series Life Below Zero – we’ve written about the show a couple of times – can also include the tidbit Iditarod champion on his eclectic resume.

And it was an historic milestone considering the race route proved be the longest course in the event’s history after lack of snow prompted the tweaking to the northern route across the Alaskan Interior.

Here are some details from the Associated Press:

Holmes was first to the finish line in the Gold Rush town of Nome, on the Bering Sea coast. The race began March 3 in Fairbanks after a lack of snow forced changes to the route and starting point.

That made the normally 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race a staggering 1,129 miles (1,817 kilometers) across the Alaska wilderness. Holmes finished in 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds.

“It’s hard to put into words, but it’s a magical feeling,” Holmes said shortly after crossing the finish line. “It’s not about this moment now. It’s about all those moments along the trail.”

He will take home $57,200 for winning the race, along with $4,500 worth of gold nuggets and 25 pounds of fresh salmon for finishing first in earlier stages.

The Iditarod’s official site also payed homage to the winner:

Throughout the race, Holmes showed remarkable strategic thinking, making well-timed decisions in response to the unpredictable challenges that the Iditarod is known for. His careful balance of speed and caution allowed him to maintain a lead in the final stretch, with his sled dog team displaying exceptional endurance and teamwork. Holmes has competed in the Iditarod every year since 2018 and has secured five Top 10 finishes in his seven years of competition. …

“We fully extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jessie Holmes, he has exhibited incredible resilience, an unbreakable esprit de corps and extraordinary care for the dogs. Moreover, his stamina is inspiring; and its fitting that after 1,128 miles (the longest race in history) his energy on Front Street in Nome  was felt by all of Iditarod Nation as he joyously claimed victory under the New Arch christened earlier today,” said Rob Urbach, Iditarod CEO.

Here’s some video from Holmes and his dog team’s arrival into Nome early this morning: