Could this be the final Iditarod for veteran musher Lance Mackey?
In an emotional on-camera interview with the Iditarod Insider, the four-time champion told Greg Heister that this could be his last race.
Mackey began the interview by discussing trail conditions, describing them as “pretty much perfect.”
“My dogs are doing great, the weather is perfect,” he added.
When asked about his hands and feet, which he’s had problems with in the past, Mackey said, “That’s why I’m still here, actually.”
Mackey lost his mittens after getting tangled up outside of Nenana and has been racing without them ever since. He told the Insider that his hands have become incredibly numb and swollen, making it nearly impossible to put booties on his dog team.
“It feels like my fingernails are being pushed off,” he said.
As a result, the four-time champion decided to remain in Tanana until his health improves.
“I got here, and I just decided I’m not going anywhere until I can take care of them right,” Mackey said of his dog team.
He’s also decided to let his brother, Jason Mackey, help out with his team.
“It’s messing up his whole race, so he can boot my dogs,” he said, holding back tears.
Mackey, wiping his face, then said, “Last one, Greg.”
Heister then asked Mackey, “Do you think this is it?”
Mackey responded by saying, “I know this is it. I ain’t going through this shit anymore.”
He then seemed to focus himself, ending the interview by saying, “I love this sport. I just can’t do it no more.”
Lance Mackey en 2010
 Le musher Lance Mackey (dossard 30), quatre fois vainqueur de l'Iditarod et quatre fois vainqueur de la Yukon Quest, a annoncé lors d'une interview au checkpoint de Tanana qu'il s'agissait probablement de sa dernière participation à la course de chiens de traîneau longue de . Le musher, qui souffre d'une maladie causant des problèmes de circulation aux extrémités, a déjà perdu précédemment un doigt. Lors de cette course, il avait amené des gants chauffants par batterie mais les as perdus à la hauteur de Nenana. À Tanana, il souffrait d'engelures et n'était plus capable de mettre les booties à ses chiens.

Lance Mackey a décidé de déclarer ses 24 h d'arrêt à Tanana (les mushers ont deux arrêts obligatoires, l'un de 8 h et l'un de 24 h, à prendre au choix entre plusieurs checkpoints) pour attendre son frère Jason, qui participe également à l'Iditarod 2015 sous le dossard 72. En effet les règles de la course font que seul un musher peut aider un autre musher ; Lance espère que son frère acceptera de faire la course avec lui pour l'aider à s'occuper de ses chiens et que les deux attelages parviennent jusqu'à Nome.