Dallas Seavey became the youngest person to win the Iditarod when he pulled into Nome last night at 7:29 pm.

The third-generation musher finished the race a full hour ahead of the nearest competitor, Aliy Zirkle, who crossed the finish line at 8:29 pm. Dallas, who celebrated his 25th birthday on the day of the Willow re-start, says he has been working on being the youngest winner of the Iditarod for the last five years. This year, he ran the race with his father, Mitch Seavey and his grandfather, Dan Seavey.

Mitch, his father joined Dallas in Nome early this morning, when he pulled in taking seventh place in the race. The grandfather Dan, age 74,is quite some distance back, he is on the trail to Unalakleet, he is currently running in 52nd place. Dan is the only person in this year’s Iditarod that competed in the first Iditarod 40 years ago.

Dallas received congratulations from Governor Parnell, who said in a statement, “Congratulations to Dallas Seavey, whose remarkable effort and incredible team led to an amazing finish. On behalf of Alaska, we appreciate you and your family’s long history with this truly great race.”

Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski also weighed in on Seavey’s victory. In a release, she said:

“I congratulate Dallas and his team on their remarkable victory in this year’s Iditarod sled dog race, becoming the youngest musher to ever win, at age 25. He has skills and a determination beyond his years. His win today continues what is already a busy 2012 for his family – with his 15-year old brother Conway winning the Junior Iditarod in February.

“The Seavey family’s mushing past is a tradition of victory: Dallas’ other brother Tyrell also won the Junior Iditarod in 2001. And he is a third-generation musher – his father Mitch won the Iditarod in 2004 and his grandfather Dan is still out on the trails at age 74. From father to son to grandsons, it’s clear the Iditarod is in the Seavey blood.”

“Dallas has a bright future on the trails, having already built momentum with a victory in the Yukon Quest last year. His historic milestone today is hopefully only the beginning of a long and successful career in the sport of dog mushing. This year’s Last Great Race is the just the latest chapter for the Seaveys.”

Seavey met Aliy Zirkle at the fish line, when she arrived at 8:29 to claim second place. They hugged and chatted for a moment. Zirkle ran a great race and led out of a half a dozen check-points, she may have had hints of trouble as far back as the run from Kaltag to Unalakleet. There, she says, the team may have tired out from the windy conditions. Yet, she was able to stay ahead of Ramey Smith who burst ahead of the competition from 30th place up to take 3rd in this year’s race.

The seven others of the top 10 are in Nome as well. Aaron Burmeister pulled in at 1:04 this morning to claim 4th. He was followed in an hour and two minutes later by Fifth Place Peter Kaiser at 2:06 am. Ray Redington Jr. arrived at Nome at 3:19 am to grab Sixth. Mitch Seavey, the winners father, crossed the line at 4:10:58 am to take ownership of 7th. Michael Williams Jr missed Mitch’s spot by less than two minutes when he crossed the line at 4:12:18 am,He settled for 8th. John Baker came to Nome at 4:25 am to take 9th. DeeDee Jonrowe, veteran musher, arrived at the line at 5:43 am to take home the number ten position.

At the other end of the pack, Bob Chlupach, Bib Number 49 is holding on to the red light at Kaltag.