The key to winning the Iditarod sled dog race

It takes a team to finally reach
that weathered burled arch
on Front Street in the gold rush town of Nome.
This winning team of canines
has withstood both wind and cold
in their brave pursuit to pull their musher home.

Along the trail this team has run
(indifferent to the snow)
contending for a prize they now embrace.
Defying odds and obstacles
they proved they had the will
to outlast the others in The Last Great Race.

This “team of teams” now rests content
enjoying just desserts
while we take time to honor what they’ve done.
It’s the dream of every musher
knowing that the world looks on
aware his team has finished number one.

*written for Dallas Seavey and the 2014 Iditarod Awards Banquet in Nome