Six of the most revered and legendary mushers who have defined Alaska’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race are set to be enshrined in the initial class of the Musher Hall of Fame on Oct. 23.

The milestone event will take place at the Alaska Aviation Museum in Anchorage.

The induction ceremony will honor the achievements, perseverance, and pioneering spirit of the larger-than-life mushers who have shaped the Last Great Race. Honorees include Rick Swenson, Libby Riddles, Susan Butcher, Martin Buser, Jeff King and Lance Mackey.

Another group called the “Founders Class” will also be honored. These visionaries and pioneers of the race include: Joe Redington, Sr., Dorothy Page, Dave Olson, Gleo Huyck, Tom Johnson, Dan Seavey, Dick Wilmarth, Herbie Nayokpuk, Lolly Medley, Jim Brown, Mary Shields, Larry Thompson, Howard & Julie Farley, Pam Randle, Tom Mercer and Raine Hall.

“Together, these icons embody the endurance, sportsmanship, and heart at the core of The Last Great Race, and their legacies now form the foundation of this new Hall of Fame tradition,” a notice for the event states.

Those who attend the induction will enjoy a welcome reception among Iditarod legends, heroes, and supporters, a plated dinner and the chance to witness the ceremony.

“This Hall of Fame allows us to preserve and honor the legacies of mushers and dogs who have given everything to the trail,” said Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach. “We are excited to share this historic evening with our community, supporters, and fans of the race.”

The event is also a fundraiser to support the Iditarod’s continuation. In recent years the race has seen a steady decrease in racers as corporate sponsors have been pressured to end their support of the Iditarod by leftwing animal activist groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Despite the Iditarod’s long tradition of providing an extremely high-level care for all dogs involved in the race, PETA fundamentally disagrees with all pet ownership (even goldfish), and maintains that animals are “nonhuman persons.”

Those who wish to support the Iditarod can buy tickets to the Hall of Fame event by clicking here.

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