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March 18, 2015 by

The team has just passed through Safety so has about 20 miles to go. Conditions are quite different from this time last year, thankfully. She’ll still be working hard behind the sled: ski poling, pedalling and running up the hills to help the team.

It has dawned a gorgeous day here in Nome. There is no wind and the sunrise was simply beautiful. Aliy will be enjoying her final run this morning with her amazing team! This could be the last time some of her team mates run this race with her so it will be a bittersweet time for her. Eager to finish but enjoying the moment.

The support crew on the ground here has swung into action – a welcome change from staring at our many digital devices! We set up the dog yard this morning with straw lined kennels; warm, dry jackets and fleece blankets at the ready. We’ll prepare a meal fit for superstars and pack some steaks for the finish line.

For Aliy, we’ll take some hot food, a fresh salad and a change of clothes. And, of course, we have plenty of hugs and kisses for them all!

Aliy’s nephew Sam (right) is particularly excited to see Aunt Aliy and the team.

We are incredibly proud of each of them. Aliy has run a great race and gave her team the rest they needed all the way along. The most important thing to both Aliy and Allen is to arrive at the finish line in any race with happy, healthy dogs.

We will head down to the finish line soon and Kennel Mom Mickey will be with you as they cross the line. We’ll get pics and video to you as soon as we can.

Go Team! Yay!

PS: You’ll see Allen and the Black Team are still resting in Shaktoolik. They may not move from there until after the Red Team has finished. When possible, Allen likes to see her safely home before continuing with his race.

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32 Responses

  • Bravo !! What a race and really extremely well done. Great winning in the top position again!! Super heroe dogs and musher!
    Thank you for all the updates again. Best site to go to.
    Cheers SPK.
    Ingabritt

  • It is hard to accept that Quito, Nacho, and Chica might not run with Aliy next year. We too feel emotional about that. Enjoy this moment, Aliy and Red team. We are proud of you all!

  • So very proud of Aliy for her character, always positive attitude, commitment to the well being of her dogs, and most of all her integrity and authenticity. Well done Aliy-girl, WELL DONE!! Well done doggies too. You guys are the best kind of champions in my book!!

  • There are 15 mushers stacked up in Shaktoolik. I can understand Allen but is there another reason why so many are stopped there? The weather looks a little warm ( in the 30's) but nothing bad is shown

  • Yay Aliy for finishing another amazing race!!

    I have to admit, it is bittersweet thinking that this may be the last time I cheer for Quito in an Iditarod with Aliy. She has become my favorite dog to follow.

  • This was my first time following the Iditarod online, and it was so fun and just amazing to keep track of Aliy's run. She and her team are now heroes to me.

  • Great Race Aliy and team!!! Go Go Go!!! Waiting to see those dogs at the finish line! Been following you the whole way! I love your positive attitude and your great feedback and your realness with everyone along the way!!! This is the first year Ive followed the Iditarod and your team and I am a fan for life!!! Go Red Team Go!!!!

  • Amazing, awesome job team! I'm so excited that I get to see the finish live!!

  • I agree that it will be bittersweet not to see Quito and some of the other "mature" SP dogs run another Iditarod. It almost brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. But, they've had many wonderful races and have earned the rest from competition.

    As for Aliy, congrats for an amazing race well run. You will arrive in Nome with happy, healthy dogs…and in the top five! Enjoy the run with a super team of athletes.

  • I also am feeling bittersweet if this is the last time for Quito, Nacho, and Chica to run the Iditarod. Aliy and Allen have the best dogs, and most importantly, the highest commitment to their care and well-being. It's a joy to follow the adventures! Safe travels to Nome, Red & Black Teams!

  • Aliy fantastic race, Go team red Go !!!!!!!!!!
    will be Watching live feed, and waving to the team.

  • It's morning here in Australia and l have to go to work 😥so l won't be able to watch the truely wonderful Aliy and the most gorgeous Quinto bring the Beautiful Red team home into Nome. But DENALI and l send you big hugs and lots of woofs for a wonderful journey . It will be emotional to see Quinto go under the arch and all the other retiree's🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾👏👏. Well done to you all. Cheers from Joanne and Denali from Melbourne , Australia.

  • It was a very moving race and our pupils are all extremely proud of Aliy and the Red Team's job.
    We're dying for them to rest now ! Take good care of them ! 🙂

  • I will miss the Spanish three SOOO much but next year expect to see Chica's 2015 babies running with Allen in the Black Iditarod training team and taking their places in the future. Want to see some Quito offspring out there too. Keep the fine lines going.

  • to Harry W. in Colorado'

    They are ALL Aliy Zirkle fans!!!

    Actually there was a report this morning, when Allen arrived in Shaktoolik there was quite a wind blowing. I believe it was Seth Barnes. the only one who wanted to jump into that. He a had a rough go.

    Anyway, what ever the weather now. It's awesome excuse to watch Aliy finish! 🙂

  • It is so refreshing to see competitors with such integrity, care and respect. Having never been to Alaska nor ever seen a dog race in person I keep coming back to SP Kennel each season.

    Another great run to Nome. Quito has been such the leader for years. It is nice to see she already has some of her pups in the race: Izzy and Mismo this year!

  • Wonderful job Aliy, dogs and team behind the scenes! We know you are all tired and excited at the same time to get into Nome as we out here are to see you back safely.

    Yea Team! Can't wait to hear the stories on the trail, hope all is well and no major strains or problems encountered.

    Yeah Allen and Black Team, wish they would post photos/film of you too!

    Best, Trish McAleer

  • Woof, woof, woof!!!

    Laying down the paws one over the other down the straightaway to the lights of the City of Nome – GO RED TEAM…

    Rally caps on in CT!!! Run like the wind!!!

    And another WOOF!!!

    Best,

    Margaret

  • A follow up on Shaktoolik, Sebastion just posted this on the Iditarod site.

    Meanwhile Shaktoolik seems the place to be, with some 20+ teams piles in there. Winds of 25 miles are reported on the weather station with light snow and 9 Miles visibility. I wonder who gets sick and tired of sitting there first.

  • Almost there Aliy!!! coffee soon…meaty treats for our phenomenal dog team …watching #32 the sassy Queen of Hearts making her way to Nome. Congratulations on a job well done!! And many thanks to Moira, Spence, Meghan and all the crew…Aliy's parents. Hugs and jumbo love.

    Holly Freeman

  • Some great pics of Aliy through Safety in:
    The Blowhole between White Mountain and Safety

  • Fantastic race for Aliy and the Red Team!!! I am so very proud of you, musher and pups!!! This is awesome!!! Many, many congratulations and love to you!!!
    Yes, it is bittersweet to see Quito, Chacha and Mr. Nacho!!! Those are simply phenomenal dogs in every sense of the word. Impressive ability, love, courage and stamina!!! Heck, I'm crying right now with a mix of sadness and admiration for them and also for joy. This is an awesome ending for their working careers!Finishing the Iditarod in such good shape with their beloved Aliy!!! But, they will still be loved and pampered and will continue to teach the younger generations how to do a spectacular job!!! I love you so much you three!!! Many, many congratulations!!!

  • So very proud of you, Aliy, and your Dog Team!! You did just wonderful!! I've been following you from Texas the whole race!! Hugs and kisses to all the superstars on the Red and Black Teams!!! YEA!!!!

  • Just watched the live feed of the Red team crossing the finish line. Congratulations to all the members of the team, what an effort on a largely unknown trail.
    13 of the 16 dogs completed the journey, great work Aliy!

    Have a good rest while waiting for the Black team to arrive.

  • So proud of the Red Team – looked so happy and professional…and very proud of themselves!

    That was more people lined up to see them than at the Iditarod Ceremonial Start (my guess as to what Mismo might have said to Mac)…

    The team looked great, and even if the deadly microphone jinx picked this moment to appear, we probably missed the painful and studid questions those who are in the chattering class are wont to ask, feeling it is their duty ("Aliy, how does it feel to not even finish second?" Ans. There were 2 women in the top five this year – that's the real story!).

    I'm waiting for the SP Kennel Crew's production, which will be ever so much more professionally done, anyway!

  • So so proud of Aliy & Red team. What a professional, healthy, happy dog team. There is no one better than Aliy. You are far and away the absolute best. It is bittersweet for this to be the lastrace for some of these wonderful, dogs. I have shed so tears also.

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