The 51st running of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Alaska’s Last Great Race, proved a passing of the torch for the Redington family and for the Iditarod; as Ryan Redington passed through the burled Arch in Nome bring a race victory to the legendary Redington mushing family.
Redington, with six dogs pulling through the streets of Nome, finished the 2023 Iditarod on Tuesday afternoon at 12:13 p.m. to become the first in the Redington family to win the Iditarod race.
Ryan Redington’s previous best finish was a seventh place in 2021.
Redington took over the lead in the 2023 race when 2022 champion Brent Sass scratched while holding the lead at the Eagle Island checkpoint at 7:42 a.m. Saturday, citing concerns for his health. Redington was first into Kaltag and never relinquished the lead; extending to a four-hour advantage by the final, mandatory layover in White Mountain.
Leaving White Mountain at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday, Redington cut his team down to six dogs for the final 77 miles to the Nome finish line. Redington arrived in Safety, the final checkpoint at 8:22 a.m. and stayed only three minutes before heading for Nome.
The total running time posted by Redington is 8 day, 21 hours, 13 mins and 58 seconds. Redington’s time is the 7th fastest in the 51-year event. The record time is owned by Dallas Seavey, who recorded a time of 7 days, 14 hours, 8 minutes and 57 seconds.
Ryan Redington will receive about $50,000 for the winning the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Redington Family Racing Tradition
Ryan Redington’s grandfather is Joe Redington Sr., father of the Iditarod, and 19-time finisher of the Iditarod. Raymie Redington, Ryan’s father, raced in the Iditarod 14 times. Joe Sr, Raymie and Uncle Joe Redington are all members of the Mushing Hall of Fame.
