Ramey Smyth wins one for mom

Iditarod finisher Ramey Smyth has known dog sled racing his entire life thanks to his mushing parents Bud Smyth and the late Lolly Medley. Lolly became the second woman to cross the Iditarod finish line in Nome coming in 29 minutes after Mary Shields in the second running of the race in 1974. In addition to mushing Lolly, who home-schooled Ramey and was also was also a gifted harness maker, convinced the Iditarod Trail Committee in 1979 to begin awarding a Lolly Medley Golden Harness award to be presented to the most outstanding lead dog in the race as voted on by the mushers themselves. The prize consists of a custom embroidered dog harness and some cash. In the early years of the award, Lolly created the harnesses herself.

Typically, the Golden Harness award is won by one of the lead dogs from the winning team, it would take a very special dog for 3rd place finisher Ramey Smyth to take home the award named after his mother. Ramey's lead dog Babe is indeed very special. Canines have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, and sled dogs are no different. As Babe approaches 11 years of age she was certainly considered a senior citizen of the race as sled dogs typically are in their prime between ages 3 and 7. This was Babe's 9th Iditarod, 8 of which she was in the lead coming across the finish line in Nome.

At first when Ramey was presented the award, the emotion he was feeling left him speechless. After placing the special harness on his loyal companion and bringing her up to the stage with him he was able to return to the stage and thank everyone for the award. Undoubtedly, his mother would have been proud.