The Iditarod Trail Committee announced on February 19th, 2024 that Eddie Burke, Jr. was disqualified from Iditarod 52. The Iditarod Trail Committee Board convened an emergency meeting and voted, pursuant to Rule 53, to disqualify Eddie Burke, Jr. from competing in the 2024 Iditarod. This decision does not affect Mr. Burke’s ability to apply to compete in future Iditarods, said the Board.
Rule 53 — Personal Conduct states that “All Iditarod mushers will be held to a high standard of personal and professional conduct. Musher conduct that is recklessly injurious to the Iditarod, Iditarod competitors, sponsors or anyone associated with the race is strictly prohibited.”
According to Alaska Court View, Burke was charged in May 2022 with Assault 3 and 4.
On February 23, 2024, additional information was provided to the Iditarod Trail Committee Board regarding Eddie Burke Jr. Upon reviewing the information, the Board voted to reinstate Mr. Burke as a competitor in the 2024 Iditarod. This was after state prosecutors dismissed the two assault charges against Burke.
“The Iditarod has informed me of its decision to reinstate me for the 2024 race. I greatly appreciate this decision,” wrote Burke in an online post. “I regret that I did not inform the Iditarod of the now dismissed allegations against me in a timely fashion, putting the race at risk. I am committed to the Iditarod’s strong condemnation of violence and abuse against women, recognizing, as the Iditarod does, that these are significant ongoing issues in Alaska. While I have maintained my innocence throughout this process, I should have informed the race of the allegations against me sooner.
“Neither I, nor the Iditarod, will be associated with perpetrators of abuse in Alaska, the Iditarod is committed to taking action to address these very serious social issues in our state, as am I. I join the Race in its condemnation of violence and abuse against women, and support its commitment to action. I have assured the Iditarod that my conduct, both in the race and out, will reflect these principles and this commitment to action.
“I am grateful to my fans and fellow mushers for their outpouring of support in recent weeks, it has been a tremendous lift in this trying time.”
