A Season That Meant More Than the Finish
Some races are measured by placement. Others are measured by what it took to get there.
This year’s Iditarod was both.
Coming off a season that held both deep joy and deep loss for our family, this race carried a different weight. It wasn’t just about competition or results—it was about showing up, staying steady, and continuing forward through a season that asked a lot.
When Travis crossed under the burled arch in second place, it was an incredible finish. But what mattered more was everything behind it—the team, the dogs, the quiet moments on the trail, and the strength it took to keep moving forward.
At the finishing banquet, Travis shared a few words. We wanted to share them here—not as a highlight, but as a reflection of what this race truly meant to our family.
Travis’s 2026 Iditarod Finishing Speech
I want to start by saying thank you.
This race is never just one person—it takes a whole team to get a dog team to Nome, and I’m incredibly grateful to be standing here tonight.
First, to my wife, Sarah…
Thank you for everything you carry so that I can do this. You hold our family together through the chaos of training, racing, and all the in-between moments. Your strength, your belief, and your steadiness mean more to me than I can put into words.
To my boys, Elias and Emmett…
You are my why. Everything I do out there on the trail is tied back to you. I love you.
To our team—Haleigh, Ibi, Matt, and Sam—thank you for showing up day after day and putting in the work it takes to make something like this possible. This finish belongs to you as much as it does to me.
And to this group of dogs…
Some of them stood under the burled arch last year with Ebbe. To see them come back and do it again—it says everything about who they are. Their consistency, their heart, their willingness to keep showing up… it’s something I don’t take lightly.
This season has been a hard one for our family.
My mom… she’s the reason I ever got into dogs in the first place. She believed in this long before I ever did. She passed away this winter, but I can tell you—she was out there with me the entire way. In the quiet moments, in the tough stretches… I could feel her. And I know she would have been really proud of this team.
And the dogs…
They’ve given me more than just a race.
They’ve given me a place to put my grief.
They’ve given me a reason to stay present.
They’ve allowed me to come home and be fully there for my kids.
There’s something about being behind a team of dogs that demands you show up exactly where you are—and that’s been a gift this year.
To all the competitors—this was a great race.
Jessie, congratulations. You ran an incredible race, and it was fun to be part of it. I’m already looking forward to lining up with you again next year.
And finally, to everyone who followed along, who supported from afar, who believes in what we’re doing—thank you.
We don’t have big sponsors behind us. What supports our racing is our summer business. So if you’re ever in Alaska, we’d love to see you—whether that’s out on Godwin Glacier with Seward Helicopter Tours or visiting us at Turning Heads Kennel. When you come out, you’re directly supporting these dogs and this lifestyle.
Thank you again.
Go dogs go.
Why We Chose to Share This
We don’t share this as a highlight reel moment. We share it because it reflects what mushing really is. It’s not just about speed or standings. It’s about:
- Partnership between dogs and musher
- The people behind the scenes who make it possible
- The way the trail has a way of meeting you exactly where you are in life
This year, the dogs gave Travis something we’re deeply grateful for—focus, purpose, and a place to process a difficult season.
That’s something we carry forward long after the race ends.
If You Want to Be Part of This
One of the things people don’t always realize is that for teams like ours, racing is supported by what we do outside of the race.
We don’t have large sponsors behind us.
Our summer tours—both at Turning Heads Kennel and out on Godwin Glacier with Seward Helicopter Tours—are what allow us to train, care for these dogs, and continue racing at this level.
When you visit, you’re not just booking an experience.
You’re stepping into the world behind it.
And you’re directly supporting these dogs and this way of life.
Looking Ahead
The race ended in Nome. But the work, the care, and the connection with these dogs continues every single day.
We’re proud of this team.
We’re grateful for this season.
And we’re already looking ahead to what’s next.
