9 days, 5 hours, 8 minutes, 41 seconds.

Lance Mackey crossed under the burled arch at 8:08 tonight, March 13th, sporting bib number 13.

That is the same bib number his father, Dick Mackey (14 days plus) wore when he beat Rick Swenson by ONE SECOND in the 1978 Iditarod.

That is the same bib number his brother, Rick Mackey wore when HE won the Iditarod in 1983. (12 days plus)

Emotions are raging – Lance has shed many tears – there have been many hugs – and there will be a BEEEEG PARTAY tonight in Nome. Sadly, his dad was not able to be at the Finish line as they had hoped. He is in the air on an AK Airlines jet which was delayed for some reason. They expect him to join the family soon.

At the finish line – brother Rick, wife Tonya, mom, Kathy and many others – Nome residents, camera crews from many places, lots of well-wishers. Probably the best well-known well-wisher was Alaska’s governor. Mackey’s lack of sleep was apparent when KTUU reporter Meg Baldino told him that he had a phone call from the Governor.

“Hello, Sir?” he said and was a bit embarrassed to be reminded that Sarah Palin is now our governor. “Oh, yeah, I met her.” Sarah didn’t miss a beat and just congratulated him enthusiastically.

$69,000 and a new truck! That’s the prize for first place.

Congratulations, Lance Mackey! You’ve done us proud and in grand fashion. Alaska born and raised – overcomer of cancer (throat) – winner of TWO huge races in the same season – wow! You are an inspiration. Now, go on out there and make us proud of you – be a good leader and a great example to our kids and grandkids. Thanks!