Musher Details

2013 Iditarod » Mushers » Justin Savidis

Justin Savidis

Bib Number: 34
Hometown: Willow, Alaska
Website:


Biography

In 2004, Justin (AJ), 41, and his wife, Rebecca, packed their worldly belongings into a truck and a trailer, complete with a rocking chair strapped to the top, and moved to Willow, Alaska to follow a job offer, and more importantly, to chase down a dream of running dogs. It was a quick journey from having a couple of dogs and handling for other mushers to establishing a kennel of their own, and then setting the goal to prepare for and race in the Iditarod. Today, they operate Snowhook Kennel comprised of 40+ dogs—some are rescues, some procured from other mushers, and others are a result of the Snowhook Kennel recipe. Growing up in Southeast Idaho, Justin has always sought out adventure including mountaineering and whitewater kayaking. Mushing and the Iditarod are a natural fit for Justin’s sense of and need for adventure—he and the dogs live for pulling the snow hook! Justin’s racing career includes the Rich Allen ‘For Love of Dogs’ award for exceptional dog care and a 5th place finish in the 2013 Northern Lights 300, a 1st place finish in the 2012 Don Bowers Memorial Sled Dog Race, and a 1st place finish and receiving the Humanitarian Award in the 2011 Don Bowers Memorial Sled Dog Race—the awards for dog care are by far the bigger honors. Justin earned his degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism with an emphasis on experiential education from the University of Utah in 2002. Driven to help others, his career path has been focused on working with youth at risk. In addition to running dogs, Justin enjoys kayaking, climbing, languages and reading.

Sponsors

C&C Auto;
The Prospector;
Stormy Kromer;
Coach & Bev Haun (the in-laws);
Matt Keortge;
Mark Atkins;
Mick & Jodi Oxenrider;
John & Jan Houts (2012 Iditarider);
Fred Houts;
Nora Conner;
Chet the Dog Plunderers:
Dawson;
Siber-H;
Barb & Maggie;
B. Stover;
Bluecat;
Spencer Quinn;

Rio the Evil Pug;
Wookie of Chevy Chase;
Staff & Alice M. Johnson and Abbie the Kitty; OleyHowlers;
Wolfie Wigglebutt;
the pack at River Bear Newfoundlands;
Barb & Bear Spirit Dog;
Masquers & Nana;
Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi;
Gus & BooBear;
Mollypop & Princess Sam;
CHobbitHarris;
Tupper & Gilly;
Basil & Sage;
Macy the Min-Pin;
Rose Witte;
Linda Jarzynski;
Kirby T. Penworthy and Tyb


2013 Standings

Checkpoint Time In Dogs In Time Out Dogs Out Rest Time Previous Layover Status Distance
Enroute Time Speed (mph) 8hr 24hr
Anchorage 3/02 11:04:00 12
Willow 3/03 15:04:00 16
Yentna 3/03 18:55:00 16 3/03 19:06:00 16 0h 11m 3h 51m 10.91 42
Skwentna 3/03 21:59:00 16 3/04 02:01:00 16 4h 2m 2h 53m 10.40 30
Finger Lake 3/04 06:07:00 16 3/04 06:14:00 16 0h 7m 4h 6m 9.76 40
Rainy Pass 3/04 09:55:00 16 3/04 15:42:00 16 5h 47m 3h 41m 8.14 30
Rohn 3/04 20:12:00 16 3/05 00:10:00 15 3h 58m 4h 30m 7.78 35
Nikolai 3/05 10:47:00 15 3/05 16:48:00 15 6h 1m 10h 37m 7.06 75
McGrath 3/05 23:32:00 15 3/07 00:42:00 15 25h 10m 6h 44m 7.13 ✔ 48
Takotna 3/07 03:08:00 15 3/07 03:13:00 15 0h 5m 2h 26m 7.40 ✔ 18
Ophir 3/07 06:07:00 15 3/07 06:32:00 15 0h 25m 2h 54m 7.93 ✔ 23
Iditarod 3/08 02:29:00 15 3/08 09:50:00 13 7h 21m 19h 57m 4.01 ✔ 80
Shageluk 3/08 19:07:00 13 3/09 03:08:00 13 8h 1m 9h 17m 5.92 ✔ ✔ 55
Anvik 3/09 06:53:00 13 3/09 07:03:00 13 0h 10m 3h 45m 6.67 ✔ ✔ 25
Grayling 3/09 09:48:00 13 3/09 15:31:00 11 5h 43m 2h 45m 6.55 ✔ ✔ 18
Eagle Island 3/09 23:16:00 11 3/10 05:33:00 11 5h 17m 7h 45m 8.00 ✔ ✔ 62
Kaltag 3/10 17:21:00 11 3/11 01:00:00 10 7h 39m 11h 48m 5.08 ✔ ✔ 60
Unalakleet 3/11 19:25:00 10 3/12 00:55:00 9 5h 30m 18h 25m 4.62 ✔ ✔ 85
Shaktoolik 3/12 07:00:00 9 3/12 10:34:00 9 3h 34m 6h 5m 6.58 ✔ ✔ 40
Koyuk 3/12 17:13:00 9 3/13 01:03:00 9 7h 50m 6h 39m 7.52 ✔ ✔ 50
Elim 3/13 08:36:00 9 3/13 14:29:00 9 5h 53m 7h 33m 6.36 ✔ ✔ 48
White Mountain 3/13 21:34:00 9 3/14 05:34:00 9 8h 0m 7h 5m 6.49 ✔ ✔ 46
Safety 3/14 12:50:00 9 3/14 12:58:00 9 0h 8m 7h 16m 7.57 ✔ ✔ 55
Nome 3/14 16:12:14 9 3h 14m 6.80 ✔ ✔ 22