Iditarod Musher Profile

Tom Thurston, 38, was born in Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business in 1992, and in 1993, he moved to a rural mountain community to live. He began mushing in 2000 "as a way to spend more time in the back country with the only friends I could find to go winter camping. The strength, determination and durability of my four legged friends inspires me each and every time. Our love for animals has made such a demanding and committing sport of mushing a natural fit." He and his family operate Double T Kennel. He and Tami have been married 15 years and they have "two wonderful daughters", Greta, 8 and Leona, 6. Five years ago they decided to set the '09 Iditarod as a goal but first they needed to acquire the right dogs and the right experience. "After lots of help and hard work and determination, in 2008 we won both the Seeley Lake 200 and the 350 mile Race to the Sky. This season we will be running yearlings with four of my best adult leaders, hoping to build a core team to bring back. This year we would like to finish in 12 ½ days. Our main goal is to bring a happy dog team to Nome." Tom says when not mushing or working as a general contractor, he enjoys family time.