A recap
It is hard to believe that last week this time I was preparing to go to Nome, almost three weeks ago was at the re-start in Willow, and 5 months ago began following the Jamaican who was about to take part in the what and where?
In case you have not heard, our own Newton Marshall was the first Jamaican and black musher to finish the Iditarod- dubbed the "Last Great Race on Earth". It's a race of endurance- fighting the Alaskan elements of rugged terrain, freezing tundras, sub-zero temperatures, and waist deep snow, for 1,049 miles.
Newton finished 47, of 71 mushers that started out, with 16 scratching on the way and never made it to Nome. Newton's time: 12 days 4 hours 27 minutes 28 seconds. The article below will give an insight.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article7071855.ece
This year was historical and spectacular for several reasons including the fact that all thousand and something dogs came in safely, and all the mushers made it in for the first banquet. In order word, no red lantern banquet this year. Congrats to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Highlight of my trip to Nome
* Meeting the nicest guy at the airport. Turn out to be Mike Owens one of the Iditarod coordinators and 2 time runner of the Iditarod. Went above and beyond to make sure I was able to hand the flag to Newton, chauffeured me around, a SDA like myself, told me where the church was and took me there on Sabbath morning.
* Meeting Newton and his team on the ice and over looking the Bering Sea, as I handed him the Jamaican flag to run down Front Street with the sound of Bob Marley playing on the loud speaker, "One Love".
* Up close and personal with Lance Mackey and Tonya Mackey, 4 time in a row Iditarod winner and Newton's trainer. What a humble guy!
* Meeting a fellow Jamaican family here who was so kind to me and hosted me for the weekend. Because of safety and confidential reasons I cannot reveal their identities. What a nice couple and 2 beautiful kids!
* Meeting and fellowshiping with the Pastor Mel and fellow believers at Nome SDA Church
* meeting and greeting the mushers and have autographs
* Finshers banquet
Newton in Galena, one of the 26 checkpoints. The pictures tells the story.
( Compliment of Danny Melville's file)
Tundra
Running towards Front Street
Newton uniting the Jamaica to the world including Alaskan native children.
Running down Front Street to Marley's "One Love" and crossing the burled arch!
Newton and Larry- Lead Dog
Celebrity
Reggae Dog Larry- "If you are not the lead dog, the scenery remains the same"
Newton and some members of his team: Lance his trainer, Tonya, Lance's wife, Danny Melville his manager and owner of Chukka Tour Jamaica, Carol, Danny's wife, and Eppo the reporter who traveled and captured Newton's Oddessy.
Hanging with Newton on Front Street and just after he clocked in.
Michelle Hibbert & Michelle Phillip from Canada. First rookie female to finish (27) and my pick. Wonder why?
Lance and I as we waited for Newton to come in! Lance is this year's champion and 4 in a row. He was just 51 minutes from breaking the record of fastest person to come in . Lance's time: 8 days 23 hours 59 minutes 9 seconds
Lunch at Milano's as we wait for Newton to come in
Celebratory meal with Lance and the gang,right after Newton came in.
Fellowshipping
Lunch Nome SDA
Sunrise in Nome from the aircraft
A warm day in Nome. Temperature in the 30's minus the wind. Coatless and gloveless afternoon. Sweet, though never far away!Tired man and dogs after the race
A gift from a Nomite, to the Jamaicans in town. A more warmer and friendly group you will never come across.
Winners check. In my opinion, so little in comparison to other sports and what these guys go through out there.
Mike Owens- 2 time finisher, one of the coordinators in Nome, and an extra ordinary man!!!!
Newton's buckle- he is official. One of under 1,000 that ever finishes the Iditarod in its 38 year history!
Map showing some of the checkpoints
Dee Dee Jonrowe, 8 time finisher, cancer survivor, and now autism advocate. How cool is that!
Popular guy everywhere- Newton Marshall.
The Bering Sea is behind me and so is Russia! Could not see it though. Sorry Sarah!
