Former Reality TV Star Jessie Holmes Wins His First Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: ‘Magical’

Mar. 15, 2025

Jessie Holmes hugs his lead dogs Polar, left, and Hercules after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome.Photo:Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via AP

Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via AP

Former reality star Jessie Holmes, who appeared onLife Below Zero,is the winner of the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.Holmes began the race on March 3, according to theAssociated PressandESPN, and finished on March 14 just after 3 a.m. His total time was 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds.The race wasdiverted from its usual course after a lack of snowforced changes to the route and starting point, both outlets reported. The diversion from the original course made sledders travel extra miles.Jessie Holmes celebrates after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome.Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via APAccording to ESPN, the race is usually around 1,000 miles but this year’s covered 1,129 miles across Alaska. It was Holmes' eighth time participating in the race and his first win. In 2018, the former reality star was named the race’s Rookie of the Year for his seventh-place finish in the race.After coming in first at the finish line in the Gold Rush town of Nome, Holmes — a former carpenter in Montana who discovered his love of dog racing in 2004 — said the emotions were “hard to put into words” but called it “a magical feeling,” per ESPN.“It’s not about this moment now,” the Alabama native added. “It’s about all those moments along the trail.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Holmes said the journey was “a truly amazing 10 days” and that he “soaked in every part of it” during the race before crediting his furry lead dogs, Hercules and Polar. “I’m really proud of these dogs, and I love them. And they did it,” said Holmes. “They deserve all the credit.“Holmes appeared onLife Below Zerofrom 2015 through 2023. The show airs on National Geographic and follows residents of Alaska living in remote areas.

Former reality star Jessie Holmes, who appeared onLife Below Zero,is the winner of the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Holmes began the race on March 3, according to theAssociated PressandESPN, and finished on March 14 just after 3 a.m. His total time was 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes and 41 seconds.

The race wasdiverted from its usual course after a lack of snowforced changes to the route and starting point, both outlets reported. The diversion from the original course made sledders travel extra miles.

Jessie Holmes celebrates after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome.Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via AP

According to ESPN, the race is usually around 1,000 miles but this year’s covered 1,129 miles across Alaska. It was Holmes' eighth time participating in the race and his first win. In 2018, the former reality star was named the race’s Rookie of the Year for his seventh-place finish in the race.

After coming in first at the finish line in the Gold Rush town of Nome, Holmes — a former carpenter in Montana who discovered his love of dog racing in 2004 — said the emotions were “hard to put into words” but called it “a magical feeling,” per ESPN.

“It’s not about this moment now,” the Alabama native added. “It’s about all those moments along the trail.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Holmes said the journey was “a truly amazing 10 days” and that he “soaked in every part of it” during the race before crediting his furry lead dogs, Hercules and Polar. “I’m really proud of these dogs, and I love them. And they did it,” said Holmes. “They deserve all the credit.”

Holmes appeared onLife Below Zerofrom 2015 through 2023. The show airs on National Geographic and follows residents of Alaska living in remote areas.

source: people.com