“Really focus on the dogs. The only reason we’re getting down the trail is because of the dogs. So, they absolutely come first, in all aspects. That’s not just on the trail, that’s at home, that’s everyday life for us,” Iditarod musher Jason Mackey told Straight Arrow News at the Iditarod. 

The Mackey name has been big in Iditarod history. Jason’s father Dick and his brother Rick have both won the Iditarod. Jason’s late brother, Lance, is an Iditarod giant. He won the race four times in his career, and he is this year’s honorary musher. Lance died five months ago from cancer.

“I’ll be carrying Lance with me. That being said, I’m not sure if I’m spreading his ashes or not. Time will tell when I get out there. And yeah, it’s very emotional. At times it’s more emotional than not. Patience, patience, he always taught me patience. Just be patient, good things come to those who wait. Another thing he taught me growing up is you can’t fix the things that happened. You just keep looking forward, one foot in front of the next,” Mackey said.

Putting one foot in front of the other is exactly what he’s doing. His motto is “Mack is back” after taking a five-year break from the race and rebuilding his team. Four of his dogs are from Lance’s kennel, and only one of the 14 runners is a veteran. Mackey says a rookie team is a good thing. 

“They love to do what they’re doing. 50, 60, 70 below zero, 30 mph winds, they curl up, tuck their nose under their tail. Then, they come up and shake off the snow and are like, ‘let’s do it again.’ They are like no other animal on Earth,” Mackey said.

This is his eighth time racing the Iditarod. He says he’s confident in the dog sled team that he and his brother built. 

“As long as I’m upright and able to do it, then that’s what I’ll continue doing. This is what I love to do. This is what I was born into. I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Mackey said.