Well, the 2026 Iditarod dog sled race is in the books. I am thrilled that Jessie Holmes became a repeat winner this year, making him one of the few mushers in history who has successfully had back to back wins in the “last great race on earth.”
As I mentioned several weeks ago at the start of the race, we subscribed to the Iditarod website and were able to follow the mushers as they traveled from Willow, AK to Nome over some of the harshest conditions on the face of the earth. The event was filled with stories of joy, grit and determination throughout the 1000 mile route.
While the celebration of the winner, and associated prize money (this year, $80,000) makes headlines around the world, there is a much lesser known custom that is also connected with the Iditarod. A red lantern hangs at the burled arch finish line in Nome, AK and stays lit until the final musher crosses the line and is safely home.
While the award is given along with a $1000 check, it signifies perseverance and unwavering commitment to complete the Iditarod, despite the unexpected challenges and conditions that came up during the race. This years’s winner of the Red Lantern, rookie Richie Beattie of Fairbanks, finished with eight dogs in harness and, with eight other teams, had encountered a powerful windstorm and had to wait more than 15 hours before conditions allowed them to continue their journey to Nome. Beattie finished the race with an official time of 12 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes and 46 seconds.
As the Red Lantern winner, Beattie also has the honor of extinguishing the red widow’s lamp on the burled arch in Nome. This iconic symbol of the race is to signal the end of the official race and confirmation that no dog sled teams are still on the trail – they have all been accounted for. It’s similar to leaving the light on until everyone is home. I find this custom incredibly important to the overall spirit of the Iditarod.
While the race is competitive, almost all the teams will acknowledge that the most important part of the event is the experiences they share with their dogs and other mushers on the trail. The spirit of brotherhood (and sisterhood) is of paramount importance. This can’t be stressed enough. It’s about the journey with their dogs – each depending on the other to finish the course. Personally, I find the camaraderie admirable and noteworthy.
It’s like our lives – the best laid plans can go awry. This year, during the race, a musher encountered a bison on the trail. Her lead dog moved to protect the rest of the team. Even though injured, the lead dog saved the rest of the team, as the bison finally lumbered off into the distance. It was a fascinating story and can really only be attributed to divine intervention.
Our verse for tonight comes from the Psalms. It’s one of my favorite parts of the Bible and is thought to be a psalm of protection for weary travelers. Certainly, the mushers and their dog sled teams fit the description of who this poetry is written for. The author tells us, in Psalm 91:9-12, “If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
My encouragement this evening is that God watches over us – day and night… He is our protector and rejoices in our lives. The Red Lantern is a reminder that we are being watched and thought about even during our toughest trials. My prayer is that we will never give up on the Lord and that we can trust where He places us. He always has a light on, leading us home if we get lost or confused. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…
