Jeff King, born in 1956, is a distinguished American musher and sled dog racer renowned for his significant contributions to the sport. Originally from California, King's fascination with dog sledding and Alaskan huskies led him to relocate to Alaska in 1975 in pursuit of adventure. Alongside establishing a construction business, he immersed himself in building his dog sledding team, entering his first Iditarod race in 1980.

King's mushing career reached its pinnacle with notable victories, including four Iditarod championships in 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2006, making him one of the select few to achieve this feat. In 1989, he clinched the Yukon Quest, another prestigious 1,000-mile race. His success extended to the Kuskokwim 300, where he triumphed nine times, showcasing his versatility across various mushing events.

Innovations in mushing techniques marked King's legacy. He introduced the sit-down sled, a pioneering design that replaced the traditional standing sled used by distance mushers. The innovation, showcased in the 2004 Iditarod, revolutionized the sport and became widely adopted by fellow mushers. King's inventive spirit extended to the development of a heated handlebar for mushers and an exercise wheel for dogs, demonstrating his commitment to improving the sport.

King's contributions were recognized with inductions into the Iditarod Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. 

• Jeff King (center) posing for photos with spectators during the 2013 Kuskokwim 300.
• The Challenge of the Iditarod (Jeff King) (Youtube)