2025 Humanitarian Award winner Mike Williams Jr. of Akiak, AK with his gold pan award.

The Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee hosted an awards banquet for the Kuskokwim 300 and Akiak Dash.

The Kuskokwim 300 Race Committee hosted an awards banquet for the Kuskokwim 300 and Akiak Dash. The event featured a feast, an auction, and the awards ceremony where mushers and race organizers and race marshals had the opportunity to thank their volunteers, trail markers, host families, sponsors and to tell race stories.

Mushers and friends and family packed the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center on Monday, February 10th, 2025 to receive their awards and to socialize and to have dinner catered by Bethel Chef Tiffany Tony.

Host families were given special awards via drawing for their generosity including gift certificates from Uncommon Pizza and massages from Arctic Chiropractic, and a travel voucher from Alaska Airlines. Race sponsors were also presented a photo gift as a token of appreciation.

Akiak Dash Race Marshal Bill Eggimann spoke a few words about the race from years past and the current race before the awards were given to the Akiak Dash finishers.

“Pretty soon you guys are going to have to name this the Akiachak Dash,” said Akiak Dash fifth place finisher Lewis Pavilla of Kwethluk. “Lots of Akiachak people…it’s fun being back on the sled. Thank you.”

Special appreciation was given to K300 musher Bailey Vitello who donated 12 doghouses to be raffled off to the Akiak Dash mushers, 2 sets of 6 doghouses. The winners were Michael Larson and George Manutoli.

The K300 auction took place before the awards featuring K300 memorabilia, entry into the Kobuk 440 plus an Alaska Airlines travel voucher.

K300 Head Veterinarian Mike Kubera presented the Humanitarian Award.

“This year was a really smooth race…it was hard to pick the winner this time. This year is Mike Williams Jr.,” said Kubera. Williams Jr. was presented a gold pan.

“It’s kind of an awesome prize for me – the Humanitarian award. There are a lot of great mushers that take top notch care of their dogs. This year is Mike Williams Jr. and he was presented a gold pan.

“It’s kind of an awesome prize for me – the Humanitarian award. There are a lot of great mushers that take top notch care of their dogs and it’s an honor to be able to give out this award. It’s a tough decision every year. We had a really smooth year and the dog welfare was excellent throughout the race. We had no major issues and I’m very grateful to the mushers for the care that they provide their dogs. They work hard and they care about their teams. We had a great volunteer team this year and I’m very appreciative of their dedication and commitment to the race. I’m already looking forward to next year and hope to see everyone there.

Williams also won the First to Aniak Award which was $1000 store credit from AC Co.

Alton Alexie, Race Judge and board member for K300 had a few comments before the K300 awards, giving appreciation to all the checkpoint volunteers.

“I want to thank our volunteers. We couldn’t do this race without you. We had a great group of volunteers this year who were enthusiastic and helpful at every checkpoint and on the trail. Their hard work and dedication made a difference in the lives of the mushers and dogs.”

Appreciation went out to the Veterinarian team and the K300 board members.

The Red Lantern winner Ebbe Winstrup Pederson was presented a pair of beautiful beaver and beaded moosehide mitts made by Michelle Samuelson from Upper Kalskag as the award for the Middle Kuskokwim Endurance Award.

2025 K300 Race Champion Pete Kaiser of Bethel was awarded the Best in the West Award and 2 round trip tickets on Alaska Airlines.

Congratulations!

2025 Akiak Dash Awards

1 Raymond Alexie, $7000

2 Michael Larson, $5500 Rookie of the Year

3 Schouviller Wassillie Jr. $4300

4 Spyridon Chaney $3500

5 Lewis Pavilla $3200

6 Eamon Frederick, Rookie $3100

7 Dray Pasitnak, Rookie $3000

8 George Manutoli $2900

9 Darren George $2800

10 John George $2700

11 Robert Charles Jr. $2600

12 Charlie Chingliak $2500

13 Tory Fitzpatrick $2400

14 Solomon Olick $2300

15 Carl Ekamrak, $2200

16 Rayme Nose, $500

2025