The Iditarod Sled Dog Race is one of the most famous events in the country and this year Mitch Seavey became the oldest musher in the history of the race to win the event, which he did in nine days, seven hours, 39 minutes and 56 seconds.

According to Reuters,  Seavey finished 24 minutes ahead of Aliy Zirkle in one of the closest events in the history of the race. Zirkle was trying to become the first woman to win the event since 1990, instead Seavey became the oldest at 53-years-old.  

Seavey trekked along the 1,000-mile race with his dogs and was ahead of Zirkle by 13 minutes on Tuesday before pulling away to win. The race finished in Nome and last year Zirkle suffered another tough loss after falling to Seavey's son Dallas, who finished fourth.

"I just now stopped looking over my shoulder, so I kind of realized we're here," Seavey said.

The Seavey family has raced in the event since the beginning and while the race dealt with less snow than usually in places after rainy weather, Seavey said it was a benefit. He also spoke about his competitor.

"She's a great musher, and she's going to win the Iditarod sometime, and probably more than once. We just had a little more steam, I think," Seavey said.