Joe Redington finishes fifth for the fourth time in his career - a remarkable achievement at age 71. Butcher leads the race to the halfway point at Iditarod, but falls victim to what is thought to be a halfway jinx. Joe Runyan of Nenana, who'd dropped out the previous year, passes her and goes on to win by 68 minutes. Swenson is third, continuing an unmatched string of top-5 finishes. 1990 - Butcher reclaims the top spot, her fourth victory in five years.
Women are back on top.
No other Iditarod musher has ever had a decade of such dominance. Susan's reign cemented it. They showed it's possible for women to excel on an equal playing field. Libby's win captured the hearts of people who thought only an incredible mountain man could accomplish it. 1991 - Swenson returns to become the incredible mountain man, battling his way through a White Mountain snowstorm so severe that Butcher, Runyan and other veterans turn back.