Jimmy Lebling and Iditarider sporting Husky Hats

Jimmy Lebling – For the past twenty years, Jimmy Lebling has been around mushing as a guide and handler. He’s been dreaming of the day he’d do Iditarod for all those years. He’s in Fairbanks for the restart of the 45th Iditarod. This is the third time in the history of the race the start has moved to Fairbanks to avoid snow starved sections of the traditional trail. Lebling’s rookie run will run along the rivers of the north avoiding the Happy River Steps, Rainy Pass, the Dalzell Gorge and the Buffalo Tunnels. On the relocated northern route, Lebling will face others challenges including frigid temperatures.

Lebling who is 50, was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Maryland. He has spent most of his adult life in Alaska working as a commercial fisherman.