Charley Bejna who for the past 25 years has operated Charley’s Landscaping in Addison, Illinois has signed up for his fourth Iditarod.  His first attempt at Nome was in 2013.  He covered 700 miles of the trail before scratching in Unalakleet. Finishing in 41st place in 2014, he earned the coveted finisher’s belt buckle.  In 2015, for the idita-river Iditarod, Bejna improved to 34th place.  Use this link to watch Charley’s interview with the Insider Team.  

Considering the brutal cold the mushers experienced on the northern most section of the trail in 2015, it was no small feat for Charley to finish that race.  Bejna is a type I insulin dependent diabetic.  The extremely cold conditions presented serious challenges in keeping the insulin and  insulin pump from freezing.  In his Iditarod 2015 recap story Charley writes about the run between Galena and Huslia, “The temperature was pegged on the thermometer at -60 so it might have been colder than that. I was a little worried that my insulin pump or insulin might freeze, so I kept it under my clothing at all times.”

Charley has come to Iditarod through participating as a non-musher in the ceremonial start.  He was an Idita-rider in Bruce Linton’s sled in 2007.  He returned to ride Linton’s tag sled in 2008.  As it turns out, Bejna and Linton have something in common besides the Iditarider experience.  LInton is also an insulin dependent diabetic.  It seems that Bruce and Charley embrace the same mantra, diabetics can achieve anything as long as they take care of themselves, live a healthy lifestyle and have a positive attitude. 

Before establishing his own kennel, Charley worked as a handler for Iditarod musher GB Jones and rode his tag sled in 2011.  His desire to become a dog man was ignited when he first drove a small dog team with Jones.  Iditarod Trail Kennel located near the Historic Iditarod Trail in Knick is home for Bejna and his nearly 40 sled dogs.  Bejna, age 42,  describes himself as an adventurer.  When he’s not landscaping, he’s exploring the most beautiful landscapes on earth with his dog team.

Ellen Halverson has signed up for her seventh Iditarod.     If her luck at sign up is any indication of the luck she’ll have on the trail to Nome, it’s looking favorable.    The grand finale of the Volunteer and Musher Sign Up Picnic is the drawing for two entry fees.  Drum roll, please.  Ellen’s was the first name drawn.  DeeDee Jonrowe’s name was pulled next.  What a way to start the race, winning the $3,000 entry fee.  That amount of money will buy plenty of booties.

In her two Iditarod finishes, 2007 and 2011, Ellen has earned the Red Lantern both times.  She’s the only person to have crossed the finish line twice as the final musher of the race.  The Red Lantern Award, presented by Wells Fargo is a symbol of perseverance and determination.  The final musher to finish Iditarod is also responsible for extinguishing the Widow’s Lamp at the finish line to signify all mushers are off the trail.  Use this link to watch Ellen’s interview with the Insider Team.

Halverson, born and raised in North Dakota, moved to Alaska in 1998 after graduating medical school as a psychiatrist.  She practices at Providence Behavioral Medicine.  After arriving in Alaska, she took up running dogs.  With two finishes under her belt Ellen says, “The Iditarod experience is both wonderful and very difficult.  Iditarod is about perseverance, problem solving putting one foot in front of the other, facing fears and doubts and finding your way.”  After turning 50, she signed up for Iditarod 2011 convinced it was a grand way to celebrate half a century on on this earth.   Now, at the age of 55, she says she’s back this year with her furry friends to “get ‘er done.”  She wants to put all that she’s learned over the years about the Iditarod, the trail, the weather and the health of the dogs to use to get to Nome again.

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Red Lantern presented by Wells Fargo recognizes perseverance and determination