Congratulations to Jackie Larson of Napaskiak, the 2022 Akiak Dash Champion. He also won the race last year, making him a two time winner.
Larson crossed the finish line at 6:37pm on Saturday, January 29th, 2022 to claim victory in the 65-mile sprint race to Akiak and back. In lead for Larson were Noon and Holland.
“It is also one of the fastest times recorded in Akiak Dash history at 4 hours and 37 minutes (it is the fastest recorded time, but previous races required a 1 hour layover in Akiak),” said K300 race officials.
At 2:00 PM last Saturday, there were 17 teams that started the Akiak Dash with a mass start. Racers followed the K300 trail upriver to Akiak, then looped around the big island just below Akiak and then returned on the same trail.
The Akiak Dash this year did not have a checkpoint and no 1-hour layover at Akiak as in years past.
It is Larson’s sixth time running the Akiak Dash. In 2006 he narrowly missed winning placing 2nd behind Ryan Housler of Russian Mission, and in 2005, 2018, and 2020 he placed 7th.
Jackie Larson has been mushing on the Kuskokwim for many years with his LJ Kennel. He won the Bogus Creek 150 race in 2007 and in 2015. He is also a Kuskokwim 300 veteran having finished the race in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2017. In 2010 he placed 8th, his highest finish.
Coming in second place was 18-year old Raymond Alexie of Kwethluk, the 2019 Akiak Dash rookie of the year, driving his team from his family’s Alexie Family Kennel. He arrived at 6:38pm, just a minute after Jackie Larson.
Mushing fans were up and down on the river on the ice road to watch the race. The event this year featured rookies Darren George, Keith Ekamrak, Leighton Wassillie, Spencer Wilson, Jacob Napoka, and Jacob Frederick.
Victoria Hardwick of Bethel was the only lady musher competing in the Akiak Dash this year. Hardwick, an Iditarod finisher, arrived in 14th position.
By 9:18pm Akiak Dash Red Lantern Award winner Carl Andrew finished in 17th place. His time was 9 hrs. and 18 mins. Congratulations to all the racers and dogs who ran the 2022 Akiak Dash.
2022 Akiak Dash Results
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Place/Musher Time # of Dogs
1 Jackie Larson 4:37 7
2 Raymond Alexie 4:38 7
3 Mike Jr Williams 4:53 7
4 Matt Scott 4:57 7
5 Darren George 5:03 7
6 Herman Phillip 5:14 7
7 Cody George 5:35 7
8 Leighton Wassillie 5:38 7
9 Jonathan Simon 5:40 7
10 Jacob Frederick 5:41 7
11 Thomas Carl 5:45 5
12 Jacob Napoka 5:56 7
13 Keith Ekamraks 6:02 7
14 Victoria Hardwick 6:11 6
15 Spencer Wilson 6:18 7
16 Anthony Olick 6:42 7
17 Carl Andrew 7:18 7
The 2022 Total Purse is $30,000 dispersed over 15 places.
