Iditarod Rookie Champ Banned From 2024 Race

The 2024 Iditarod sled dog race kicks off on March 2, but last year's rookie of the year Eddie Burke Jr. won't be in attendance. The Iditarod Trail Committee just announced that Burke has been disqualified from this year's race, but the exact reasons remain unclear. 

According to The Associated Press, the race's governing body explained Burke's disqualification by citing an official race rule regarding conduct. "Iditarod mushers will be held to a high standard of personal and professional conduct," the rule states. "Musher conduct that is recklessly injurious to the Iditarod, Iditarod competitors, sponsors, or anyone associated with the race is strictly prohibited." The organization declined to comment or clarify further, telling the AP "the ITC has issued its statement about Eddie Burke Jr. and has no other comments at this time."

While the statement didn’t explain Burke’s actions that warranted the disqualification, Alaska Public Media cited court documents for felony and misdemeanor assault charges against Burke linked to a May 2022 domestic violence incident in Anchorage. Burke did not immediately return request for comment to the AP. 

Burke was recently named rookie of the year at the Yukon Quest Alaska race earlier this month, adding to his 2023 Iditarod rookie title. He started sled dog racing in 2021 after working as a garbage truck driver and amateur boxer and even moved to the Alaskan town of Willow where the race starts every year. He told Alaska Public Media last year that he fell into the sport almost by accident, as he became interested in it after attending an Iditarod banquet with friends and getting to know racers. 

“I knew nothing about dog mushing, I went to this banquet with some friends because we were betting on Iditarod and we were basically there to do a recon mission and talk to mushers and, you know, see who had what and who was confident and that kind of thing," he recounted.

The 2024 Iditarod begins March 2 in Willow.