Raymond Alexie is the 2025 Champion of the Akiak Dash sled dog race. He crossed the finish line in 4 hours 49 mins in Bethel after running the 65 mile race course from Bethel to Akiak and back last Saturday, February 8th, 2025.
21 year old Alexie raced with his Alexie Racing Kennel of Kwethluk. He is a past champion of the Akiak Dash, winning in 2023. He has placed in the top 5 in every Dash race he’s entered since 2019. This year he won $7K for his first place finish.
Alexie was originally signed up for the 2025 Kuskokwim 300 but withdrew from the race due to adverse training conditions, weather.
Coming in second was Michael Larson who was running a team also from the Alexie Racing Kennel, the B team. He finished with a time of 5 hours, 5 mins winning $5,500.
In third was Schouviller Wassillie Jr. of Akiachak, the 2024 Akiak Dash champion. He raced his 8 dogs to finish in 5 hours, 12 minutes. He and his father Schouviller Wassillie Sr. are a father and son Akiak Dash champion duo. Schouviller Sr. won the Akiak Dash in 1996.
Fourth place finisher was 15 year old Spyridon Chaney of Napaskiak racing a team from the Larson Kennel. His time was 5 hours, 17 minutes with 8 dogs in harness.
In fifth place was Lewis Pavilla of Kwethluk mushing his Bad River Kennel team. He finished in 5 hours, 19 minutes with 8 dogs.
A past champion of the Akiak Dash mushing this year was 65 year old George Manutoli of Akiachak. Manutoli mushed a team from John Simon’s Bethel Glare Ice Kennel. He won the Dash in 2018. This year he finished in 8th place.
The Red Lantern Award was won by Rayme Nose of Akiachak. He mushed his Nose Kennel team with 7 dogs across the finish line with a time of 6 hours, 27 minutes.
The race began with a frenzied mass start as the 16 teams made it past the staging area and the crowds of fans and vehicles. The teams mushed up the river to Akiak where they turned around and headed back to Bethel. There was no 1 hour layover in Akiak and no dropped dogs. Mandatory items the racers had to carry in their sleds was a sleeping bag and an axe for the duration of the race along with 4 booties for every dog. Mushers also carried GPS trackers so race fans could watch the race online.
Next up is the Bogus Creek 150 set for February 22nd, 2025.
2025 Akiak Dash Race Results
February 8, 2025
Place/Musher/HoursMins/#dogs
1 Raymond Alexie 4:49, 8
2 Michael Larson 5:05, 8
3 Schouviller Wassillie Jr. 5:12, 8
4 Spyridon Chaney 5:17, 8
5 Lewis Pavilla 5:19, 8
6 Eamon Frederick, 5:20, 8
7 Dray Pasitnak 5:37, 8
8 George Manutoli 5:38, 8
9 Darren George 5:41, 8
10 John George 5:42, 7
11 Robert Charles Jr. 5:43, 8
12 Charlie Chingliak 5:54, 7
13 Tory Fitzpatrick 5:57, 8
14 Solomon Olick 6:00, 6
15 Carl Ekamrak 6:03, 6
16 Rayme Nose 6:27, 7
