Cancer Claims 4-Time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey

Lance Mackey sits with his lead dogs Larry (R) and Maple after crossing the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to win his third Iditarod in a row in Nome, Alaska, on March 18, 2009. Al Grillo/AP Photo

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—Lance Mackey, one of mushing’s most colorful and accomplished champions who also suffered from health and drug issues, has died.

The four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race winner died Wednesday from cancer, his father and kennel announced on Facebook. He was 52.