Bethel musher Pete Kaiser and Aniak musher Richie Diehl have successfully completed their 2022 run in the 50th race of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race finishing in the top 10.
Kaiser, age 34, crossed the finish line at 9:45pm on March 15th, 2022 in 5th position with a total race time of 9 days, 6 hours, 45 mins, and 15 seconds with nine dogs. He is a past champion of the Iditarod, winning in 2019 along with seven top ten finishes since 2011. Ari Kaiser, Pete and his wife Bethany’s son rode with him the last stretch into Nome and crossed the finish line where Bethany and Aylee their daughter were waiting to welcome him to Nome.
Pete also carried some very special cargo on the trial, by request of the family of Dick Wilmarth.
“In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Iditarod and in honor of the first winner, Dick Wilmarth who passed away recently, Pete was carrying a small vial of Dick’s ashes along the trail as well as a Dick Wilmarth trading card,” wrote John Wallace of Kaiser Racing Media. “Wilmarth won the first race in 1973 and was from the Kuskokwim area. It was a special moment not shared often on the trail or the Finish Line. Thanks to the family for allowing us to honor Dick and the 50th running of this great race!”
“A total honor to do that. Obviously he is from the Kuskokwim River just like I am. We’re both Iditarod winners, he was the first Iditarod winner,” said Kaiser at the finish line in Nome. “This is the 50th anniversary so pretty special to have him ride with me on the sled dog trail. Just honored that his family asked me to do that. I think it’s a great story behind this 50th race.”
Richie Diehl, age 36, made it to Nome and crossed under the famed burled arch at 10:02pm also on March 15th, 2022 in 6th place close after Kaiser. His total race time was 9 days, 7 hours, 2 minutes, and 13 seconds. Diehl completed the race with 8 dogs. This is his third top ten finish – he placed 6th in 2018 and 9th in 2021. He is the 2021 Kuskokwim 300 and Bogus Creek Champion. Welcoming him at the finish line was his wife Emerie along with friends and family.
Forty-nine mushers began the race and thirty-seven finished. Brent Sass of Eureka, Alaska is this year’s race champion. Winning the Red Lantern Award was Apayauq Reitan of Kaktovik, Alaska. Congratulations to all the finishers!
