The legacy of Egil Ellis marches on.

The Swedish musher who now lives in Willow continued to dominate the GCI Open North American Championship Sled Dog Race on Sunday, winning his 10th title in the last 12 years and holding off hard-charging Salcha veterinarian Arleigh Reynolds on the final day of the grueling three-day race.

"Number 10, it's pretty amazing," Ellis said after completing the third heat. "When I started running this race in 1998 I was fifth and I was just hoping to win it one time," Ellis said. "I never thought I would win it 10.

Ellis began his string of victories in 1999, only failing to win the race in 2003 and 2007 when Blayne Streeper captured the crown.

Ellis didn't have the fastest time of the day in Sunday's grueling 27.2-mile heat, but his 54-second overall lead was more than enough to hold off Reynolds, who finished 11 seconds ahead of Ellis in Sunday's heat.

"My dogs got into a nice rhythm early on and were able to maintain it most of the way," Ellis said. "Once they get that rhythm down, they can keep it going for mile after mile. We accomplished that for 98 percent of the time today."

Ellis had some decisions to make in the last two miles or so as one of his wheel dogs tired in the home stretch.

"I was debating whether to cut the line, but I decided not to because I knew Arleigh was pretty close behind me," Ellis said.

With E-mail and Ruby leading the way Sunday, Ellis posted a time of 92 minutes, 14 seconds to finish with a total elapsed time of 218 minutes, 4.5 seconds for 67.2 miles of racing.

Reynolds had the fastest time of the day, finishing in 92:03.4, which gave him a total of 219:01.8. Reynolds also won Friday's first heat, but Ellis had such a strong second-day run that it was enough to win the championship.