Dogs | Races
March 9, 2021 by

Thank you to everyone for your concern and we appreciate your messages of love and support. Overnight, Aliy has been released from hospital and is in Anchorage with family. The dogs are great will be flown back as soon as possible.

Here’s the update from Iditarod. We also reiterate our thanks to everyone involved in caring for Aliy and her dogs, and those involved with the response.

Veteran Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle (bib #32) of Two Rivers, Alaska, scratched at the Rohn checkpoint last night at 8:05 p.m. Zirkle was injured while coming in to the Rohn checkpoint.

Iditarod Race Marshal Mark Nordman, based on information provided by a volunteer with medical training, notified the Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center for assistance. The Alaska RCC arrived at the checkpoint at 12:14 a.m. today and transported Zirkle safely to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for further evaluation. 

Zirkle is in stable but guarded condition after sustaining a significant impact that resulted in a concussion and orthopedic injuries to her upper torso. Zirkle has been released from the hospital and is resting in Anchorage with family and plans to return home when they are able.

Zirkle had 14 dogs in harness when she arrived in Rohn. Her race team is uninjured and being well cared for by volunteers at the Rohn checkpoint where they will wait for the first flight out to be flown to Anchorage and driven back home. 

The Iditarod would like to thank the race personnel at the Rohn checkpoint for their care of Zirkle, the Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center for their response efforts.

A look back at this magnificent photo of Aliy and her team on Sunday from Whitney McLaren of mushingphotos.com

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33 Responses

  • I have been so concerned about you Aliy ever since learning this morning about you being hurt! I have been praying for you and your dogs and your courage and your family. I don’t know quite what happened yet but I know I am so disappointed for once you couldn’t finish your race, especially being the last one!🙏🏻💐😌🙏🏻💝‼️ Much love hugs and prayers for th quickest recovery possible for you dear Favorite! Hugs to Allen and your family in advance for taking good care of you! You’re a winner in my books no matter what!💞🥰🎊🎉💘‼️

  • Anyone else feeling like “who cares about the race, just concerned with Aliy at this point”? UGH. Sincerely hope she will be ok. With love…

  • So sorry — devastated actually — about your injury, Aliy.

    It is so unfair, especially after you were robbed of first place in a prior year.

    I hope you mend completely and can continue with whatever your future plans are.

  • we were wondering what was going on..but never expected this. Huge praise she is safe now and prayers that she will recover quickly. Thank Goodness her dogs are ok too. Sending hugs and love to Aliy!!

  • So sorry to hear about your accident. I just know how bad you wanted this last race to go well and all your fans were wishing the same for you and your team. Take care of yourself, all your fans are still behind you 100%.

  • Dear Ally
    I was honored to meet you last year at the Meet and Greet
    In Anchorage. I was doing my bucket list trip to the Iditarod. As a retired teacher from Montana I have shared the race with many students over my 25 years. I am shedding tears for you but am so glad you received the help you needed. Rest. Rest. Rest. And know you are in the prayers of many Montana students, teachers and their families
    Kathy Remington

    It’s

  • Glad to hear it’s a concussion and not a more serious injury. It could have been SO much worse. I survived a double concussion six years ago with relatively minor brain damage and memory loss.

    Best wishes to Aliy, and fast healing! Brain injuries are no joke. Be safe, and we’re glad to hear the dogs are okay!

  • I am truly sorry you were hurt.Tonight I will raise a glass to Aliy. She is by far the Musher that is loved by all. She has been the most popular in the villages and the most cheered for at the end of the race no matter what position she is in. Geezzz in the auction her bib is already at 600. She can just burn that one durning a full moon over looking the dog yard. Howl with your dogs and drink a toast to the most incredible career. I mean how many people can say that there career was Dog Mushing. Aliy you have inspired us all.Your strength, humor, kindness, love of the dogs, sled, race , Alaska and of course coffee will always be remembered by me and my friends. I have my Aliy beanies and Aliy dog booties and team member cards to cherish. There is only one thing I won’t miss Aliy and that is setting my alarm in the middle of the night to see the standings and GPS. The anxiety was torture. I hope someday somewhere I will meet you. For now I wish you a fast recovery physically and emotionally. You and tough and very much Loved. Cheers to you Aliy Zirkle

  • I agree with everything that has been said. I’ve been so worried all day waiting for this update. I know we all feel better just knowing she is out of the hospital and under family care. Now to get the fur babies off the trail and everyone safely home!
    You are so strong, Aliy but for now rest, heal and let your family and friends take care of you and your teammates.

  • I was relieved to know that Aliy was able to be discharged from the hospital. That was a positive bit of information. Keep “moving forward” Aliy and this will be behind you soon. I hope you know how much your fans love you and are behind you. Get well soon!

    And yes, ditto, the race is just a race….your health is top priority now. And as previously said here, now to get the canine precious cargo home!

  • I was rooting for Aliy to win, but now I’m just rooting for her to recover fully. both physically and mentally. It must have been so traumatic and such a disappointment for her in her farewell Iditarod.

    I hope you can hug your beloved dogs in a day or two, Aliy!

  • Aliy … So sad to hear that you have been injured … Get well soon.
    I follow the race and root for you every year … Great memories of you and KAZ.

  • Great news about Aliy! Could have been a lot worse. Get Well Wishes going your way and will be
    glad to hear when the precious cargo gets back! Thanks to your family Aliy for their love and support
    as well as Nurse Allen will take good care of you!

  • Sending you love and good energy for your recuperation. Prayers of thanks for your safe return and discharge from the hospital. The most important thing is that you and the dogs are OK! Be well, Chris

  • Aliy so sorry to hear about this. Prayers and positive thoughts headed your way .

  • Aliy,

    Obviously like everyone else, I am concerned for you after learning about your injury.

    Do what whatever you need to do to take care of yourself, first and foremost. Much respect to you, your family and friends on keeping everything but the most basic details private, as it should be, and may be exactly what is best for recovery too.

    I know you must be anxious to see your dogs, but it is okay to trust your dog teams care to your immediate family, friends and the fantastic volunteers if you need to. The team will be waiting for you eagerly soon enough at home.

    Of course everyone wants details, but that is for you decide when and how much and is literally the least important thing right now. Your health and injury recovery are the most important thing right now. For you, people want to know because they really do care about you. It inquires just show how much love and fanfare you have. You have earned huge respect over the years, deservingly so.

    Remember you are a living Iditarod Legend! This years race does but change that. What a amazing life accomplishment you have made, so inspirationally and respectively too.

    Wishing all the best in injury recovery and retirement. I happen to know a little bit about both.

    (From an old friend & field camp crew mate at the narrows)

  • It was wonderful to hear you were released from the hospital into the arms of your family, Aliy. With a head injury and other injuries I imagine you have been encouraged to lay low for awhile. But you are still here–that is the greatest WIN!

  • So glad to hear she has been released from the hospital…we have been sick with worry and celebrated the news. Yes…what race??? Our total focus has been on Aliy and the Team…concussions are no joke….she will need to still her mind to heal….we find solace in knowing she has a great support team around her to help her in any way possible. We will continue to send healing thoughts her way.

  • The love that surrounds you also extends from people from all over the world( I live in the HImalayas). I have followed the Iditarod from here for years and always, always appreciate you, Alley, your positiveness, your guts and determination, your smile, your care of your dogs and your appreciation and love for the people around you in the race like the village children. It’s your time now to take time, soak up the rays of sun and love, heal well and get ready for that travel that you talked about. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and meditations.

  • with love across the miles ~ now, forever, and always. ” A true champion!”

  • Wishing you the best Aliy. I am devastated for you and the team but praying for a swift recovery for you. God Bless you.

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