4-time Iditarod champ Lance Mackey out of 2017 race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Organizers of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say four-time champion and cancer survivor Lance Mackey has dropped out of next year's nearly 1,000-mile race because of health reasons.

Race marshal Mark Nordman confirmed the withdrawal to The Associated Press on Monday after the Iditarod Trail Committee announced it on its Facebook page.

4-time Iditarod champ Lance Mackey out of 2017 race