Iditarod Musher Profile

Pat Moon, 33, was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Relations. He works for Double Up Farms, a niche landscaping service in the Chicago area. He and his wife, Melanie, have been married for five years and love to travel and share adventures. Pat had always followed the Iditarod while growing up and was introduced to the experience in person through the Idita-Rider program in 2006. Upon arriving home from that amazing experience, he began the process of Iditarod participation. Pat contacted Tasha and Ed Stielstra with Nature's Kennel, and an immediate friendship was formed.

At the age of 15, Pat was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an auto immune disease that targets the intestines and kidneys. Although afflicted with these health issues, he does not allow it to curtail his life or activities. When asked about running the Iditarod, Pat says, "Although having an illness is physical, being sick is a state of mind."

Throughout his life, Pat has had an adventurous spirit, which has taken him on treks around the globe. He has lived on a cattle ranch in Kansas, traveled through Europe and canoed the Amazon River with his wife. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his two cats, Oscar and Tigger, and the family dog, Annie.

Pat would like to thank his sponsors, family, friends and his favorite kennel puppy, Einstein, for their unwavering support. He also says that without the constant support and dedication of the Stielstras, this dream would have never been realized. He thanks is Mom for supporting him, no matter what crazy idea he has come up with. Pat also says that he could not have even thought about attaining this dream without the love and overwhelming support of his wife, Melanie. "I love you, Mel!"