Veteran musher, Mike Williams Jr., signs up for Iditarod 2023

Western Alaska Sprint Race champion is Mike Williams Jr. of Akiak. He finished the 2 day race with a time of 4:09:58.

The Iditarod Race Committee has announced that they are excited to welcome back veteran musher, Michael Williams Jr., to the 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Mike has competed in the Iditarod 7 times between 2010-2018, crossing the finish line in Nome each time. In 2012 he was a Top 10 finisher coming in 8th place and in 2014 he received the Sportsmanship Award. Born and raised in Akiak, Alaska, Mike is a second-generation musher, following in the footsteps of his father, Mike Williams Sr., who competed in the race 15 times between 1992 – 2013. We look forward to watching you on the trail, Mike, and welcome you to Iditarod 2023!

“We can do this race one more time. I plan to run this mostly to enjoy the trip across Alaska. I have a nice group of young, talented dogs and we will use this run as part of a training run possibly for next year’s Kusko 300,” wrote Williams Jr. in his Iditarod biography. “Dogs that make Iditarod no matter how long it takes, go home with a new toughness and a certain pride in their eyes, they accomplished a tough race.”

The Iditarod Trail Committee stated that they are looking forward to welcoming more veteran and rookie mushers to compete in the 51st version of The Last Great Race on Earth. All mushers that apply to compete in the Iditarod must first go through the qualifying review board before their entry is officially accepted for the Race. The close of registration is on November 30, 2022.

Also signed up for the 2023 Iditarod is Kuskokwim musher Richie Diehl of Aniak.