Iditarod Musher Profile

Aliy Zirkle, 39, was born in New Hampshire. She went to college at the University of Pennsylvania where she majored in biology. In 1990 she came to Alaska to volunteer with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Twelve years ago she moved to Two Rivers from the "booming metropolis of Bettles, Alaska." She began mushing in 1993 and said she started by running a trap line, then ran (and won) the Yukon Quest and now she's doing the Iditarod. For the last eight years, she has been a dog musher and a carpenter. She says that sled dogs are her life and her passion. She enjoys watching puppies grow, learn and eventually become part of a team with their siblings. "I consider the Iditarod not only a competition of the highest caliber, but also a celebration of true Arctic transportation. "I appreciate the trail crossing the magnificent state of Alaska and can think of no better mode of transportation I'd prefer than a dog team." Aliy is a member of the Two Rivers Dog Mushers and the IOFC. She is married to Allen Moore, also a musher, and has two adult step children, Bridgett and Jennifer. Aliy lists her hobby as "sitting in the hot tub watching the Northern Lights."