Iditarod Musher Profile

Twenty-seven year old Jamaican, Oswald "Newton" Marshall began mushing in 2005 after an operations manager at Chukka Cove, saw something special in Newton and handpicked him to look after a trio of new dogs at Chukka Cove Farm. Newton's exuberance and special way with animals propelled him on a journey to the snow and great outdoors to train with huskies. In November 2007, it was decided that Newton would train and race to qualify for the Yukon Quest. Marshall left sunny Jamaica and arrived in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada to begin his long distance training with three-time Yukon Quest winner Hans Gatt. In 2009, Marshall became the first Jamaican ever to finish the Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race. Following the 2009 Quest, he went to the Fairbanks area to train with then three time Iditarod champion, Lance Mackey, for his first attempt at the Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race.