Democracy Dies in Darkness

Lance Mackey, four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner, dies at 52

After the string of wins, he was beset by health scares and drug problems that prevented him from ever again reaching the top of the sport

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September 9, 2022 at 12:04 p.m. EDT
Lance Mackey with his lead dogs Larry, right, and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on March 18, 2009, in Nome, Alaska, to win his third Iditarod in a row. (Al Grillo/AP)
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Lance Mackey, a four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner who was one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions, died Sept. 7 at age 52.

The cause was cancer, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. No other details were provided.

The son of 1978 Iditarod champion Dick Mackey and brother of 1983 champion Rick Mackey, Lance Mackey overcame throat cancer in 2001 to win an unprecedented four straight Iditarod championships, from 2007 through 2010.