The Iditarod Trail Committee’s (ITC) Board of Directors has selected Wilson Hughes as the 2024 Honorary Musher for the 2024 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®. Wilson has served the Iditarod in a variety of ways over the years beyond his role as a representative of the sponsorship family. He first served on the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors as its Treasurer from 1994 through 1997. He continues to serve on the Nominating Committee, which he has done since 2005. More recently, he became a trustee of the Iditarod Trail Race Foundation and now leads the organization as its President.

Stan Hooley, Past ED/CEO of the Iditarod from 1995-2017, reflected on the first time he met Wilson after stepping into his role as Executive Director of the ITC: “My first opportunity to get to know Wilson was at a time when the ITC found itself at a critical fork in the road, a time when most of the larger national brands were making an exit from their Iditarod involvement. He wanted to meet, to see what opportunities there might be to get involved to preserve and protect Alaska’s legacy event. It was his leadership that paved the way for the partnership with GCI more than 30 years ago. When you have a Wilson Hughes in your corner, your opportunities for success increase in measurable ways.”        

“In the realm of mentorship, where guidance and inspiration shape the futures of many, there are exceptional individuals who go above and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the lives they touch. Wilson Hughes not only embodies these characteristics but does so with a magic twinkle in his eye. As the Honorary Musher, we celebrate the essence of Wilson: a beacon of wisdom, a paragon of mentorship and smooth as a single malt. I have had the good fortune of receiving a cornerstone of support from Wilson, invaluable advice and ‘feel-good’ inspiration,” said Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach.

Many thanks to Wilson for continuing to see the opportunities that the Iditarod offers and helping the ITC navigate through troubled waters.