Iditarod mushers to have drug tests

  • By Rachel D’oro Associated Press
  • Tuesday, March 9, 2010 9:01pm
  • Sports

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Every human competitor now running the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will be tested for alcohol and illegal drugs on the trail for the first time in the history of the 1,100-mile race — a change defending champion Lance Mackey believes is directed at him.

“I know for a fact,” said the three-time winner.

Mackey, who has been open about using medical marijuana on the trail, on Tuesday was among the early front-runners in the race, which began with 71 teams Sunday in Willow. Canada’s Sebastian Schnuelle was in the lead, arriving first at the Athabascan village of Nikolai, 236 miles into the race. He was followed by 2004 winner Mitch Seavey of Seward, then four-time champion Jeff King of Denali Park. Mackey was running eighth.

Race organizers aren’t saying when or where on the route the testing will occur, but they add that they aren’t excluding anyone driving the 16-dog teams in the race. A musher who tests positive could face disqualification, a period of ineligibility from future races or both.

The sled dogs have been tested for performance enhancers since 1994.

Race organizers say they decided to formalize the policy for testing mushers beginning this year at the request of the Iditarod Official Finishers Club. The service is being provided by a drug testing company that’s among the Iditarod sponsors.

Officials say the idea has been discussed for years. However, Hooley said it would be difficult to deny Mackey’s contentions that he is being singled out for his acknowledged pot use and that other mushers have complained about it.

“The reality of it is he’s won the race three times and people would like to figure out a way to beat him,” Hooley said.

Mackey, a throat cancer survivor who is seeking his fourth consecutive win, said other competitors have stated that his use of pot gives him an edge in the trek to Nome, which he adamantly denies. The 39-year-old Fairbanks resident is facing a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession after being found with a small amount at the Anchorage airport in January, after his medical marijuana card had expired.

The cancer, diagnosed in 2001, left him with lingering physical ailments, such as pain, bone deterioration and loss of his saliva glands. Marijuana helps him cope with his health problems, and it’s absurd that anyone would think that’s why he’s been winning, he said.

“Some people think that’s an advantage?” he said. “I don’t wish cancer on anybody.”

Still, Mackey said he’s abiding by the new rule. He even will abstain from his prescription of government-approved Marinol, which contains the active ingredient in marijuana. Race officials say exemptions include the drug, but Mackey said he’s not taking any chances.

The 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, which Mackey has won four times in a row, has no rules that specifically address drug use among mushers.

Most mushers interviewed said they have no problem with the Iditarod policy.

“I think it’s about time,” said Iditarod veteran Paul Gebhardt, who has twice placed second in the race. “The Iditarod is the Super Bowl of dog mushing and as far as I know it’s the only major sport that didn’t have drug testing for the athletes in it. They had drug testing for 16 of the athletes on the team, but not for the human one.”

Canadian Hans Gatt, who won his fourth Quest in February and is running his 12th Iditarod, said the policy doesn’t matter to him because he never uses drugs. But he supports it because he considers the Iditarod a professional sports event.

“I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “It keeps us clean.”

Mackey conceded the Iditarod organizers are doing what they believe is necessary. But he does not consider himself a paid professional, because unlike other professional sports organizations, the Iditarod Trail Committee does not pay him a salary. If it did, he could understand being under its control in the Iditarod.

“It’s an event that we run nine days of the year,” he said. “So what I do on the other 350-something days of the year is up to me, not them.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hawks beat ‘brothers from the south’ to earn state bid.

Tulalip Heritage wins Tri-District game, pride against Muckleshoot Tribal School.

Stanwood junior Ellalee Wortham (2) lunges toward the basket past several Monroe defenders to attempt an underhand layup in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. Wortham scored 33 points in the 59-41 win for the Spartans, eclipsing 1,000 career points. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Wortham hits 1,000 career points, leads Stanwood to state

A 33-point outing led to a 59-41 win against Monroe in the Girls 3A District 1 semifinals.

Shorecrest senior Cassie Chesnut attempts a free throw in the Scots' 47-23 win against Snohomish in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls basketball upsets Snohomish in District 1 3A semis

An 18-0 third-quarter run allows Scots to blow by top-seeded Panthers 47-23.

The Shorewood bench reacts to 3-point shot during the 3A district playoff game against Shorecrest on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Meadowdale, Shorewood keep state hopes alive.

The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Arlington, GP punch state tickets.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-15

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 9-15. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Tips Week in Review: Everett splits at Prince George, beats Victoria

Eric Jamieson’s hat trick against Victoria highlights Presidents’ Day Weekend

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Everett qualifies 13 girls for Mat Classic

Mia Cianega wins at 190 as Seagulls place third at district wrestling tournament.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.