Iditarod 2010 champion Lance Mackey has admitted this year’s race was the most tiring ever for his sled dog team.

The Fairbanks veteran took his fourth title in a row on Tuesday (March 16th 2010), holding off competition from this year’s Yukon Quest winner Hans Gatt and Jeff King to cross the finish line with his dog harness.

He told the Alaska Dispatch that the race, which covers over 1,000 miles of freezing Alaskan wastes, was a tough competition this year.

Minutes after crossing the finishing line, Mackey was asked why he enjoys sled dog racing by a fan in the crowd.

"Because I like being cold and hungry," he replied.

King, meanwhile, told reporters that this he is considering quitting being a musher, adding he is unsure of what the "next page of this story is going to be".

A few of the backmarkers are still racing on the Anchorage to Nome course today (March 18th 2010), including Jason Barron and Allen Moore.