By Barbara Munker

Nome (Alaska) - An ex-television star has won Alaska's famous Iditarod dog sled race. Jessie Holmes (43) was the first to cross the finish line in the city of Nome on the Bering Sea coast in the northernmost state of the USA after around eleven days with ten dogs .

"It's hard to put into words, but it's a magical feeling," said Holmes - and praised his dogs in particular. "I'm so proud of these dogs. I love them. And they've done it. They deserve all the recognition."

Originally from Alabama, Holmes was part of the US reality show "Life Below Zero" about the lives of people in remote parts of Alaska.

It was his eighth participation in the race. His victory earned him 57,200 dollars (around 53,000 euros).

Before the start, the organizers had to change the route for the fourth time in the more than 50-year history of the race due to a lack of snow. As a result, it became the longest route to date at around 1815 kilometers.

The Iditarod leads through the Alaskan wilderness - often in snowstorms and extreme sub-zero temperatures. It is considered a great challenge for humans and animals.

The race was founded in 1973 and takes its name from a river and a now abandoned village in western Alaska.

The race commemorates a dog sled expedition in 1925, during which medicine was brought to Nome to combat a diphtheria outbreak. Goods and mail were also transported on the Iditarod Trail in the 20th century.

Protests from animal welfare groups have steadily increased in recent years, especially since the documentary "Sled Dogs" was released in 2016. In it, the Iditarod organizers are accused of promoting cruelty to animals.