Eddie Burke Jr. arrived in Nome as the top rookie of this year’s Iditarod on March 14, 2023. | Image: Ben Matheson, Article: Lex Treinen Alaska Public Media - Iditarod - Nome 
Eddie Burke Jr. wins Iditarod Rookie of the Year
Eddie Burke Jr. claimed Rookie of the Year honors in the 2023 Iditarod, finishing in seventh place late Tuesday in Nome.
It’s the top rookie finish since Jessie Holmes also placed seventh in 2018.
Friends and family greeted Burke, including his daughter. Several wore custom sweatshirts with a silhouette of Burke’s face and his characteristic long, curly hair. Fans shouted, “Free the mullet!” from the side lines.
Burke, 34, said it was a hard-fought battle for the rookie honors with Hunter Keefe, who he ran close to for much of the race. He said it was a fun competition.
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