Matt Hall took over the lead out of Koyuk ... their first Iditarod win. Holmes has placed as high as third, twice, in his seven prior Iditarods. He was born in Alabama, moved to Alaska a couple ...

Update, 11:55 a.m. Wednesday: Jessie Holmes was holding on to his lead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog ... managed to extend his lead on his run to Koyuk — about 170 miles from Nome — arriving ...

The sled dog had been part of Alaska Native ... Shaktoolik, Koyuk, Elim, White Mountain and Safety before reaching Nome. Total distance: 1,128 miles, according to the Iditarod Race Committee.

NOME — Jessie Holmes, a 43-year-old who came to Alaska ... Iditarod since, finishing in the top 10 now six times, previously as high as third place. Holmes spent much of this year’s race in front.