The Kobuk 440 wrapped up over the weekend in Kotzebue with the first three mushers getting back to Kotzebue Sunday. Ken Anderson won at 11:47 yesterday morning, reaching the finish line with six dogs. Kobuk 440 time keeper Liz Moore says the second place finisher is the rookie of the year Scott Smith.
Ten teams ran this year. Moore says the trail conditions were good and there were no spring storms to contend with. She says the weather was great. The mushers will gather this evening in Kotzebue for the awards banquet. Moore says the purse was $50,200. Paying first place at $12,000, second at $9,000 and third at $7, 500. Mushers also get unique trophies for the race.
Moore says the Kobuk 440 has been running for 20 years and the organization is working to raise money for a larger pay out to attract more mushers in future years. She says the one of the main goals is to bring young people into the sport to teach them responsibility in dog handling, some regional history and fitness.
Gerry Riley was the red lantern finisher this year. He reached Kotzebue this morning at 8:15 with five dogs.
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Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.
