by Greg Lincoln
Mike Williams Jr. of Akiak is the 2025 Bogus Creek 150 Sled Dog Race champion. Williams headed up to the Bogus Creek 150 halfway checkpoint arriving first on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025. After taking the mandatory 4 hour layover, he headed back to Bethel, keeping his lead throughout the race to win on Sunday morning. This is his second time winning the Bogus Creek 150. He also won in 2006.
Williams led a field of 16 teams loaded with past champions. Running the race this year was Kwethluk’s Lewis Pavilla. He won the race four times: 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2017. 2008 and 2022 champion Pete Kaiser and 2018 champion Maurice Andrews of Bethel were also on the roster. 2021 champion Richie Diehl of Aniak and 2023 and 2024 defending champion Raymond Alexie of Kwethluk were also on the list.
Williams, who is 39, crossed the finish line at 7:08am on Sunday morning with 10 dogs and Bark and Viper in lead. He hugged his awaiting family and took care of his team, giving them a snack. For his win he received a $15,000 award and a grass sewing inguqaq trophy with a floral design made by Kelly Lincoln of Bethel.
Coming in second was Raymond Alexie. He finished at 7:30am with 10 dogs. In third place was Pete Kaiser, he crossed the finish line at 7:46am also with 10 dogs. Kaiser will not be running the Iditarod this year, he said, which will begin on March 1st in Fairbanks, AK.
Rounding out the top five were 15 year old Spyridon Chaney of Napaskiak and Robert Charles Jr. of Akiachak. Chaney of Napaskiak, grandson of Father Alexander Larson, was awarded the Rookie of the Year Award.
Finishing at 9:58am was the Red Lantern Award winner Solomon Olick of Kwethluk. He finished with 8 dogs.
The race began on the river in front of Bethel with a mass start at 3pm on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025. The race had a 10 dog limit and no less than 7 dogs. Racers had to cross the finish line with no less than 5 dogs.
Mushers raced to the Bogus Creek halfway checkpoint where they spent a 4 hour layover. Racers and their handlers fed and cared for their dogs at the camp and rested. Race volunteers gave hourly reports on the progress of the race online.
10th and 11th place mushers Lewis Pavilla and Maurice Andrews finished within seconds of each other in an exciting finish.
The Bogus Creek 150 has a $100,000 purse with monetary prizes awarded to the top 15 finishers.
