A few weeks ago Ledwidge was training his team on the Yukon River at Dawson. "They are really strong," he said.  "I didn't run the Quest this year so they are in really great shape for this year's race". Ledwidge chose to rest his dogs briefly in Fortymile.  That short rest may have given them the extra energy they needed to sprint past Willomitzer, who finished in second, 35 minutes behind the winner. With a tailwind, a fast trail and perfect running temperatures, Ledwidge did not have to worry about being caught. 

Still, the first-time winner of the race never relaxed.  "I needed a head in a swivel to keep turning around and looking" he said, laughing with relief.  "When you start thinking you've got it easy and you don't have to work too hard, all of a sudden you say, 'geez' not peddling right now could cost me the race"

Even when Ledwidge came into view of the finish line, approximately one kilometre from the crowd of 30 that gathered to see the winner arrive, he was still working.  That's where he thought he might have the race won.  "About Moosehide.  Then I was thinking, 'don't count your chickens before they're hatched', I could get all screwed up crossing the ice bridge and lose my team".  Only when you cross that finish line do you know you've won the race.  Salvisberg finished third, Hopkins finished fourth.