Nome, Alaska — Jessie Holmes, a former reality television star, won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Friday, celebrating with fist pumps to a cheering crowd and posing for photos with his two floral wreath-adorned head teammates, Hercules and Polar.

Holmes had a three-hour lead over his closest competitor, Matt Hall, who said he had stopped trying to catch up.

Former reality TV star Jessie Holmes has won the longest-ever Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. As of early Friday, Duluth’s Emily Ford continued to run in 17th place, and was the second-fastest rookie so far.

Jessie Holmes mushes down Front Street on his way to winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome. (Loren Holmes / ADN) NOME — Jessie Ho