Tyler Aklestad, of Palmer, and Nick Olstad, of Wasilla, won the Iron Dog on Saturday for the second straight year.
Aklestad and Olstad had a time of 52 hours, 58 minutes and 32 seconds on the 2,503-mile course, which starts in Big Lake and loops up to Kotzebue before going to Nome then returning to Big Lake. Aklestad and Olstad also won in 2020, while Aklestad also had a title in 2016 and Olstad also has titles in 2014, 2009 and 2005. The six titles put Olstad one behind the seven of all-time leaders Scott Davis, of Soldotna, and John Faeo.
From the Kenai Peninsula, Bradley Kishbaugh of Soldotna and Ryan Sottosanti of Wasilla were fifth in 60:54:37, Travis Temple of Nikiski and Chad Moore of Sterling were 12th in 75:44:08, Tad Covault of Soldotna and David Wagner of California were 15th in 95:36:02, and Duncan Brewer of Kenai and Cole Crandall of Kenai scratched heading north at Puntilla.
Ashley Wood, who was born and raised in Soldotna and now lives in Wasilla, and Hillarie Gossett, of Wasilla, finished 14th in 85:07:42.
