J. J. Keller-Sponsored Musher Wins $100,000
in All Alaska Sweepstakes Sled Dog Race
Hi-Res Photo Mitch Seavey, immediately after claiming his victory at the All Alaska Sweepstakes.
Neenah, WI – Mitch Seavey, the 2004 Iditarod® champion sponsored by J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., took first place last weekend in the centennial running of the All Alaska Sweepstakes. Seavey beat Jeff King, four-time Iditarod champion, into Nome by 10 minutes to claim $100,000 in the winner-take-all race. Completing the course in roughly 61 hours, Seavey shattered a 98-year-old mushing record held by John “Iron Man” Johnson.
The All Alaska Sweepstakes celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first major long distance sled dog race in the world. The last running of this race was in 1983 to celebrate the 75th anniversary. Born out of a need to relieve the doldrums of the long Alaska winters for the early gold miners of Nome, the 408-mile race naturally included sled dog teams, the winter transportation mode of the era.
This year’s race took some of today’s top mushers over a route between Nome and Candle that was selected in 1908 by the then-new Nome Kennel Club. The route was specifically chosen to challenge mushers and their dogs with the most dangerous and varied terrain possible.
Interviewed shortly after the race, Mitch Seavey said, “I never thought anything could surpass winning the Iditarod, but this is a rare event and a pretty nice prize.”
With sled-dog racing season nearly over, Seavey has a reason to be proud of his standings. Add this weekend’s $100,000 purse to the $48,000 he earned for finishing seventh in the Iditarod, plus the $20,000 prize he picked up for winning the Kuskokwim 300 in January, and Seavey is clearly this year’s leading money winner in Alaska’s state sport.
James J. Keller, President of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. said, “Speaking on behalf of my family and the company, I would like to congratulate Mitch Seavey on his tremendous win. Mitch is truly one of the world’s top mushers and we are very proud to be his sponsor.”
To learn more about J. J. Keller’s sponsorship of Mitch Seavey and to view photos, video and commentary from the 2008 Iditarod, go to www.jjkeller.com/iditarod.
About J. J. Keller
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. employs 1,300 associates and is a leading specialized publisher and services provider with more than 300,000 customers worldwide. Since 1953, the company has been committed to helping businesses comply with government regulations; empowering and rewarding its associates; and supporting the local community.
