Thursday, February 22, 2007

2007 Yukon Quest was 10 days, 2 hours and 37 minutes.

Lance Mackey and a frosty team of dogs cruised through the North Pole Dog Drop Tuesday morning around 9:45.

On hand to welcome Mackey was North Pole Mayor, Doug Isaacson. Doug welcomed Lance to North Pole and gave him the key to the city. Doug then helped Lance into his Official Race Bib sponsored by the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.

Lance's dogs looked to have plenty of energy left for the 33 miles into Faribanks. It is a bright, sunny, crisp morning in Fairbanks - perfect weather for mushing.

Race Organizers expect him to cross the finish line between 12:30 and 1:30 pm this afternoon. We hope to see you there!
(2007 Yukon Quest Champion Lance Mackey at the Finish Line)
Lance Mackey has mushed his way into Yukon Quest history books, with his record run from Whitehorse to Fairbanks as well as matching runner-up Hans Gatt's precedent-setting three-in-a-row Championship performance.

Lance arrived at the Finish Line on the Chena River just before 2:00 pm Alaska Time, to a cheering crowd and his family and friends.

Making the 99 mile run from Chena Hot Springs in just over 11 and-a-half hours, Mackey shortened the record run time by at least 1/2 a day from Frank Turner's 1995 former fastest time.

Mackey's total run time for the 2007 Yukon Quest was 10 days, 2 hours and 37 minutes. The previous record time was 10 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes.

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