This year, being the 50th running of the Iditarod in itself has a very special meaning. It honors the dream Joe Redington Sr. had of saving the Alaskan sled dogs, and preserving the historic Iditarod Trail by getting it added to the National Registry of Historic Trails. So for the entire Redington family, and all of Iditarod Nation, this is a year of great significance. 

Yet, there are other mushers in the race this year that also have an added purpose for running. There are some that have dedicated this year’s race to a family member, or a special cause, and it is important to realize that even though they are in a competition against one another for a larger prize, it’s these smaller things that have a bigger impact for others. As a teacher, these are the things that help make meaningful connections, and truly resonate with our students. 

There are a few mushers that have dedicated this year’s race to a family member.

Sean Williams Iditarod 2021
Photo by Jeff Schultz/ (C) 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The first musher to hit the trail, wearing bib #2 was Sean Williams. He is racing this year for his mother, Patricia Williams, who passed away last year. It was actually the morning of the race in 2021, when he got the news that his mom was sick, and immediately withdrew from the race. With this year being his rookie run, he stated “I’ll be chasing her all the way”. 

Another musher who is holding their mother close is fellow Iditarod Rookie, Matt Paveglio. He too lost his mother recently, this time due to ovarian cancer. He will feel that close connection to her all the way to Nome as he is carrying her ashes with him in the sled, as I would imagine, to have them both run the race together. In an added tribute, he will be listening to the music that was played during her celebration of life while he is on the runners. 

Iditarod Rookie Portrait 2020
Photo by Jeff Schultz/ (C) 2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

The final musher who is carrying the memory of a loved one on the trail is Riley Dyche. This year he will be racing to raise awareness for ALS. After battling this disease for 2 years, his Grandmother passed away in 2005. Through his mushing, Riley is hoping to help fund research to find a cure for this disease to help other families that are currently going through the same hardships his family once did.

There are two mushers this year that are running to support our military veterans. 

2020 Iditarod Rookie Portraits
Photo by Jeff Schultz/ (C) 2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Karin Hendrickson is a 6-time Iditarod finisher and seasoned musher. After getting to know some of these heroes throughout her life, she wanted to dedicate this year’s run to Nome for them. On her website she states “Over the years I’ve encountered a number of combat veterans who have made a big impact on my life. I will be dedicating my 2022 Iditarod run to honor them and other veterans.” A very honorable and noble gesture from Karin. 

Rookie Gerhardt Thiart is another who is looking to honor military veterans through his 2022 Iditarod campaign. Originally from South Africa, he is a military veteran himself. After serving multiple tours with the South African Infantry Corps, he achieved the rank of First Lieutenant Platoon Commander. In his bio on the Iditarod website, he states “I struggled for a long time with the Why-why do I want to do the Iditarod? In 2018 I incorporated the GAT Foundation Inc. and the why was answered: to promote, support and bring awareness to the needs of US Veterans.”

Susan Smith from Faces of the Iditarod by Jeff Schultz. Photo Credit: Jeff Schultz

Dan Kaduce. Photo Credit: Jeff Schultz

This last one is special for a different reason, and has a more personal connection. Over the summer, the Iditarod community lost a great volunteer, educator and all around person. Susan A. Smith was the true “Teacher on the Trail™”. After being a finalist in the program through the Iditarod, she decided to teach in Alaska, and was hired as the teacher in Takotna. Therefore, becoming the one teacher who did end up teaching on the trail. I had the privilege of interviewing her last year for the first in my “Voices of the Volunteers” posts. Later we started a pen-pal project with our two classes, and even got to Zoom with them in the end. She was an amazing person who I only just started to know. It was her lifelong dream to see the trail in its entirety. This year one musher is making that happen. 

Dan Kaduce will be taking her ashes the entire distance. In communications with her widower, he shared that her ashes will be spread near the start, again near (her home away from home) Takotna, and the rest will be taken to Nome. In this incredibly touching act, Susan will ride every mile of the trail, just as she always wanted. 

Teachers: Have your class do a quick-write about a person or cause they would dedicate something to. It does not have to be a race, it could be a sport season, a piece of art, music or a dance they have spent a lot of time working to complete. As I always tell my students, be sure to provide evidence!