Last One to Finish Iditarod Sled Race, She’s Sorry It’s Over
An English hairdresser who quit her job to raise huskies and run the Iditarod finally finished the 1,158-mile sled dog race across Alaska--coming in last but still running when she crossed the finish line.
Lesley Anne Monk, 37, spent 19 days, 13 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds crossing Alaska by dog sled but said her lowest moment came at the end.
“My worst moment was coming into Nome because it was all over,” Monk said. “I’ve been waiting six years to do this race and then suddenly it was all over.”
Monk’s seven huskies--half the number of dogs she started with--trotted into Nome and across the Front Street finish line at 10:22 p.m. Thursday.
She became the 45th person to reach Nome. Fifty-two mushers started the race March 5 in Anchorage, but seven failed to finish. Susan Butcher won the race.
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