On March 12, 2024, at 5:16 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time, the J. J. Keller/Dallas Seavey Iditarod Racing Team triumphantly crossed the finish line in Nome, Alaska, securing its victory in the 52nd Iditarod. Dallas Seavey, a seasoned competitor racing his 14th Iditarod, clinched an unprecedented 6th Iditarod championship, solidifying his status as one of the greatest mushers of all time.
Seavey’s remarkable achievement was made possible through the unwavering support of his long-time sponsors James and Rosanne Keller, representing J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., based in Neenah, Wisconsin. The Kellers, who have sponsored Seavey since 2007, were present at the finish line in Nome to celebrate his historic win.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete with an outstanding team of dog-athletes,” said James Keller. “We had faith in him — in his perseverance. During the race, he overcame a critical encounter with a moose, which attacked his team and required one of his dogs to be flown out for surgery. That was a tough situation for him.”
The Kellers’ support for the Dallas Seavey team began in 2006 when they visited the Seavey kennels and training center in Seward, Alaska, while on vacation. It was there that they met the then 18-year-old Dallas Seavey and were inspired to assist him in achieving his dream of becoming the youngest musher ever to win the Iditarod. Six years later, Seavey accomplished that feat.
“We started sponsoring Dallas in 2006 for the 2007 race, where he finished 41st,” recalled James Keller. “We all kept the faith and built the team. We wanted Dallas to be the youngest ever to win at age 25, and he won in 2012. Then a 3-peat in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He won again in 2021. This race, in 2024 for his 6th championship, crowns him the greatest musher in the history of this competition.”
Seavey’s pursuit of the 6-time Iditarod Champion title faced a setback in 2022 when he secured second place. In 2023, he chose not to compete, prioritizing quality time with his daughter.
For the race standings and more information about the 2024 Iditarod, please visit Iditarod.com.
About the Iditarod
The Iditarod is an annual 1,000-mile-long sled dog race held in Alaska. With challenging terrain and weather, it is a test of teams’ endurance and perseverance. The first Iditarod race took place in 1973, inspired by the historic Iditarod Trail, which was a critical route for gold mining, mail delivery, and, in 1925, delivery of diphtheria serum. Today, the race attracts competitors from around the world. It begins in Anchorage and finishes in Nome, lasting from 8 to 15 days or more, depending on weather and trail conditions. Mushers and their teams pass by remote towns and villages, with designated rest periods to ensure the well-being of both the mushers and their dog-athletes.
About J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Since we began as a family-owned company in 1953, our purpose at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. has been to protect people and the businesses they run. Today, serving 500,000+ companies across North America, our associates are making a larger impact than ever. Transportation, construction, utility, healthcare, education and industrial organizations of all sizes rely on our expert insights to create safe work environments and simplify complex government regulations. They trust our diversified portfolio of solutions – cloud-based management tools, consulting, professional services, training, forms, PPE and safety supplies – to safeguard workers, reduce risk and build operational confidence. Learn more at jjkeller.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
