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January 17, 2015 by

On Wednesday evening, Aliy learned she was one of four recipients for the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame’s Directors’ Awards.

Aliy was awarded the Trajan Langdon Award for Leadership, Sportsmanship and Inspiration.

This award is for a person or group of people who have demonstrated leadership, integrity and sportsmanship during the past year in such a way as to positively influence and inspire others to be better sportsmen or sportswomen.

The citation reads: Nobody has made second-place look so good. Known for her trademark smile, this 45-year-old Iditarod musher is as gracious as she is good. She puts her dogs first, always praises the competition and never makes excuses. Zirkle showed tremendous character when she finished the 1,100-mile race in second for the third consecutive year. And she did it with a smile. After being caught in the eye of a brutal storm, Zirkle nearly chased down eventual winner Dallas Seavey, losing by a mere 2½ minutes in one of the most dramatic finishes in the race’s 40-year history.

Aliy said she is honored and humbled to receive the award and very grateful to the Hall of Fame for recognising her and her team in such a way.

Here is a link to the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer story.

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16 Responses

  • Aliy–I can't think of anyone else more deserving of this award than you! Congrats! Ypu are an inspiration to women everywhere.

  • Congratulations! Well deserved! All the SPK team exemplify true sportmanship, recognizing canine and human teamwork! Aliy, YOU are an inspiration… best wishes for a fantastic 2015 season!

  • Nice award, well earned.

    Congratulations Red Team leader Aliy. The picture of the Red Team at Meier's Lake checkpoint, shown on the SP Kennel website, says what this particular prize means, for me.

    Attentive and eager to receive a few words of encouragement, the 4-legged teams members each in a slightly different way, turn to you. Eagerly.

    Good dogs!!! What a team you make together!

  • Wow….you go girl!! They got it right….Aliy IS inspirational!! The article was spot on….2nd place never looked so good…and noble…..and humble….and awesome!!

  • Dear Aliy, I connot imagine a better person to be the recipient of this prestigious award!!!
    Your courage during such difficult races, your incredible love for each and every one of your dogs and your year-round dedication to the sport and the life style are so present!!! And you do all that with so much grace and smile!
    Plus, you are so kind to your fans and fellow competitors alike!!!
    You are a very special lady!!! And I am so very proud to be your fan!!!
    God bless you and your dogs!!!

  • Congratulations Aliy. You are so deserving and such a great ambassador for dog mushing. And what a fabulous smile. We can tell what a bond you have with all the dogs.

  • Congratulations Aliy ! A more worthy and deserving recipient I couldn't think off to exemplify the values of this award . To all at SP KENNELS congratulations from Joanne and Denali 🐾🐾 from Melbourne , Australia .

  • Congratulations Aliy to you and everyone at SP Kennel who makes this wonderful recognition possible. We love watching you Aliy, 1st 2nd,6th, EVERYTHING because everything you do, you do in a first class way. Thanks for letting us be a part of it all.

  • Congrats Aly! It's an honor to watch you! You are a special kind of person! I can't think of a better person to represent your sport and your state! But I'm pulling for first this year though!

  • Congrats! Well deserved! Funny, Karen and I met Trajan Langdon at the Barrow Airport back in 2002, waiting for AK Airlines flight back to Fairbanks.

    Steve Laine

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