Anyone wbleepedfollows the Iditarod can't help but be amazed at Lance Mackey's tenacity, endurance, guts, determination and the incredible love he has for his dogs. He has lived thee ultimate American dream, and it's no accident that his kennel is called the "Comeback Kennel." He shows us that, no matter what, we can achieve our dreams. We can all learn a lot from him. "It's not chance. It's Lance!"

I lived in Eagle River, Check point 1 on the Iditarod Trail, and I challange anyone to follow in his footsteps. It is true that the dogs work hard, but it is the musher wbleepedfeeds them, takes care of all their needs and spends countless hours with minimal sleep and food. His one tough man.

Congratulations Lance....As someone wbleepedwatched every second of coverage of last year's race, I can only marvel at the drive, determination and sheer strength of will that mushers endure for the sport they love. You have achieved what said could not be done. Without the care and devotion you have given to your dogs they would not have carried you to your incredible victories. There was never any doubt wbleepedwas the toughest athlete and you should have won the ESPYs too.

Way to go Lance!!!!

Overcoming throat cancer, lucky to be alive, much less to race again. And then to win, not just the toughest race, but to win TWO of the longest, hardest dog sled races in the same year, never been done before! Oh, and then to do it again, the next year? They said it couldn't be done, they doubted you - you showed them!

You are truly The Incredible Lance Mackey, the toughest man in the world!

As Lance so eloquently put it

" each and everyone of these athletes are tough as they get. Anyone that chooses to get up and challenge themselves is tough in my book and should hold their head high. It's a journey for all of us".

lance did what nobody in this world has ever done and he did it twice.

I disagree with this totally and not well deserved at all. He looks like he stays awake and can do what he does with help - and lots of it. Drugs perhaps? Meth will do that. Hmmmm...I wonder.

Lance, you are such an inspiration! We have followed you the last 2 years and you and your team are truly awsome. To all those that were disappointed that their entry lost I can only say we understand your disappoint for we felt Lance should have won the ESPY. Unless you fully understand what goes into raceing a dog team its easy for you to say the dogs do all the work. Sorry, thats just not so. Please educate yourself before making statements like that.

Lance you and your team truly deserve this honor.

Well earned and well deserved Lance!!! What an inspiration to us all: beating the odds against cancer to come back to win these physically gruelling and mind game races. Yahoo for the the Mackay team!!!

Yeah Lance!! He is definitely one tough athlete! What he has accomplished, especially the past 2 years, is amazing! To win either the Iditarod or the Yukon Quest is fantastic.....but, to win them back to back two years in a row is awesome. He certainly deserves this award.

(I saw him come across the finish line in Nome and win the Iditarod races, and it was quite exciting!!!)

To you Lance, I give you thanks for inspiring me and so many others wbleepedlive with cancer every second of our lives. So many of us give up but you and your love for your dogs and others has helped us look forward to see that there are better times even though cancer is ever present. If only to live another year to see you and the other mushers and the wonderful dogs run again is something I look forward to. I am 70 years old and hope to see you win again. God bless you, your dogs and all mushers and their teams.

Lance deserves the Toughest Athlete title. He has shown a lot of toughness regardless of the races he has won. He has battled cancer and won and didn't give up. He has operated on a shoestring and then won the races. He is an excellent example for the youth of Alaska as well as the rest of the country. Well done, Lance.

I would have to disagree with the statement that the dogs are doing most of the work. Taking care of 16 dogs in some of the most extreme temps. and elements with zero sleep basically over a 10 day period, fighting halucinations and maneuvering through dangerous over flow and across mountain apex', turn the wrong way and thats the end. There is alot more to dogsledding than meets the eye. All these athletes are tough in their own right, it's just wbleepedvoted more for their sport and their favorite. GREAT job Lance.

The Iditarod is a race from the past with all the obstacles in the present. I was so thrilled for Lance. He is a true frontiersman. A man wbleepedloves the Alaskan wilderness and his DOGS!!!! What a sportsman.