Jamaican Sled Dog Musher, Newton Marshall, has been awarded the ‘Challenge of the North’ award for best exemplifying the spirit of the Yukon Quest.

The award, a polished caribou antler trophy, was made to Marshall at the Yukon Sled Dog Race closing banquet on Saturday, Feb 28, 2009. In Fairbanks Alaska USA

Newton, a 25-year old rookie sled dog driver, along with 28 other mushers (as the drivers are called) participated in this year's 1,000 mile Yukon Sled Dog race. He crossed the finish line in Fairbanks, Alaska on Thursday Feb, 26th in 13th place, ahead of 16 other competitors, with an elapsed time of 11 days 19 hours 2 minutes.
Newton who is from the garden parish of St. Ann in Jamaica, and resides at Chukka Cove in that parish, completed the arduous 1,000 mile course with a broad smile on his face in response to loud cheers from the Quest race fans.

He surprised an impressed the hundreds of Yukon Quest e fans who had gathered, including race marshal, Doug Grilliot, with his performance.

In presenting Newton with The Challenge of the North Award, Grilliot said: “This year’s Challenge of the North Award is going to a musher that the race judges believe showed perseverance, class and grace under pressure. Throughout the race his smile and cheerful attitude never faltered. When he first signed up for the Quest this year, I’ll be the first to admit that when I saw his entry I didn’t think it was much more than a publicity stunt...and over the last thousand miles though we’ve come to respect and admire his attitude, perseverance and the way he took care of his dogs. So the 2009 Challenge of the North Award goes to one very Southern Musher…So Newton Marshall, come on up.”

To sustained applause and cheers of support and congratulation, a very surprised Newton, proudly accepted his award indicating that “I am quite surprised and a nervous wreck.”

He and his team of Jamaican street dogs were sponsored to the prestigious Yukon Sled Dog Race in Alaska by Danny Melville of Chukka Cove Caribbean Adventures as well as well-known musician and regular visitor to Jamaica, Jimmy Buffett. Other sponsors included Alpine Aviation, Yukon Harley Davidson, Columbia, Mountain Hardware, and Sorel.

Derrick A. Scott
JIS Washington DC

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