One of the biggest names in long-distance dog mushing has signed up for the Yukon Quest, the 1,000-mile race between Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and Fairbanks.
The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports four-time champion Lance Mackey entered the race Monday.
He’s replacing Jimmy Lebling, who had planned to run his first race with a team from Mackey’s Comeback Kennels.
Mackey says changes among his kennel staff led him to decide to enter the race. The Fairbanks musher says the Quest is in his backyard and it’s hard not to want to be a part of that.
Mackey will race against three other former champions, including Allen Moore, who has back-to-back titles the last two years.
Former champions Hugh Neff and Jeff King are also part of the 28-team field.
