Iditarod Musher Profile

Lance Mackey, 40, was born and raised in Alaska. The back to back four time Iditarod champion and four time Yukon Quest champion (and current record holder) says he began mushing "at birth."

"I grew up around racing and the Iditarod. I was at the finish line in 1978 to see my father, Dick Mackey, win by one second. In 1983, my older brother, Rick, won. Both my father and brother won wearing bib #13 in their sixth Iditarod." 2007 was Lance's sixth Iditarod and he won wearing bib #13, just as he had planned.

Lance says, "At this time we have a Dream Team."

Lance's achievements include:

• Being the only person to win both 1000 mile races in the same year (two years in a row)
• First person to win four Iditarods in a row
• Two time Espy Nominee
• Inducted into Alaska Sports Hall of Fame in 2010

Lance also helped the first Jamaican musher, Newton Marshal, make it to the finish of the 2010 Iditarod. Newton will be joining Lance again for the 2011 Iditarod and they will be racing in the Lower 48 this winter as well.

Lance is a lifetime member of the Yukon Quest, the Iditarod Trail Committee Inc., a member of P.R.I.D.E, and the Armstrong Foundation. His interests include "sport fishing, old stuff of any kind and GOLD!"  Lance and Tonya are the parents of Amanda, 22, Brittney, 20, and Cain, 18.