Jessie Holmes Wins Longest-Ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

The former reality TV star and carpenter completed the grueling 1,129-mile race in 10 days, earning his first victory in eight attempts.

Jessie Holmes, known for his time on the show 'Life Below Zero,' claimed victory in the 53rd Iditarod, the longest in the race's history at 1,129 miles.
Holmes finished the race in 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes, and 41 seconds, crossing the finish line in Nome, Alaska, with a three-hour lead over the second-place musher.
This marks Holmes' first Iditarod win after previously finishing in the top 10 five times, including third place in 2022 and 2024, and earning Rookie of the Year in 2018.
A lack of snow forced changes to the route and starting point, extending the race beyond its usual 1,000 miles and presenting additional challenges for the mushers.
Holmes credited his 10-dog team, particularly lead dogs Hercules and Polar, for the victory, describing the experience as 'magical' and reflective of the journey's highs and lows.