ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The 53rd Iditarod belongs to Jessie Holmes.
The Nenana musher — who made his way to Alaska after growing up in Alabama — dominated the race, leading for much of the way and claiming five of the six major checkpoint awards along the way.
Holmes fended off Two Rivers musher Matt Hall and Cantwell musher Paige Drobny to claim the win, crossing under the Burled Arch in Nome just before 3 a.m. Friday, with a finishing time of 10 days, 14 hours, 55 minutes, 44 minutes…