Defending Iditarod and Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey has been voted the toughest athlete in an online contest. The Fairbanks musher prevailed over 32 other athletes in the "CamPain '08" contest conducted by the cable TV channel Versus. Mackey got the most votes in each of five rounds that culminated in his victory this week. In the final round, Mackey beat Team Hoyt, a triathlon duo of father Dick Hoyt and son Rick, who has severe brain damage.

Mackey has twice been for an ESPY Award in the Best Outdoor
Athlete category. He didn't win, but he and wife Tonya were lavished with gifts at the star-studded awards ceremonies in Los Angeles. He also placed second to golfer Tiger Woods in a Sports Illustrated toughest athlete list earlier this year.