Dan Seavey, head of Iditarod champion family, dies at 87

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Dan Seavey, the patriarch of the most successful racing family in the history of the Iditarod, died at the age of 87.

The Iditarod announced via social media Friday that Seavey had died.

Seavey never won the Last Great Race but played a pivotal role in getting the annual race started in 1973, along with Joe Redington Sr., and also helped establish the route as a National Historic Trail in 1978.

“Dan’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of this iconic race, from its inception to its enduring spirit,” the post read.

In five attempts over 39 years, Seavey racked up two top-10 finishes, led by a third-place podium result in the inaugural race in 1973.

His son and grandson, however, found more top-level success, garnering a total of nine race victories over the years; Mitch Seavey won three Iditarods in 2004, 2013, and 2017; while Dallas Seavey claimed the all-time record of six wins in 2024, adding to crowns from 2012, 2014-2016 and 2021.

Originally hailing from Minnesota, Dan Seavey made his way to Alaska in 1963 with his family to teach high school classes in Seward.

According to his biography on the Iditarod website, Seavey was quoted as saying his interest in the race’s origins began that same year when he was assigned to teach Alaska History.

“I was taken with the trail’s importance to Alaska’s early development and Seward’s vital role in that development,” he said.

Race officials wrote in their announcement of his passing that Seavey was “more than a musher; he was a historian, educator, and advocate for the preservation of Alaska’s rich heritage.”

“His contributions have left an indelible mark on the Iditarod and the community he loved. As we remember Dan, we honor his unwavering commitment to the Iditarod and his enduring legacy in Alaska’s history,” the post read.

Seavey’s cause of death was not immediately known as of publication.

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