Travis Beals

I have always had a love of the outdoors, and a fishing trip to Alaska 10 years ago remains a highlight of my life. While I enjoy fishing, I have friends in Atlanta, Georgia, who every year talk about attending the Iditarod. They talk about the amazing dogs, the mushers, the beautiful landscape, and the wonderful people in Anchorage. I have been wanting to come experience all this event has to offer, and am so excited to be coming to Anchorage for the Iditarod in 2020!

          Marshall McCabe

Anna Berington

Maidie

I am 10 years old, from Texas and am so excited I can hardly stand it about ridding with Anna Berington. I love horse back ridding, but have sledded only once before. My sister and I watch the Iditarod every year and our favorite mushers are the Berington ladies. Anna and Kristy actually look like me and my sister and they stick together when things get tough.

Maidie (on the left)

Kristy Berington

Kiwi

I am a 12 year old little lady from Texas. I love the vastness of Alaska, its wildlife and am a big outdoorsman, hunter, and love dogs. I have sledded before, but never in Alaska. My favorite mushers are the Berington twins because of their story and how close the sisters are. I still cannot believe I am riding with Kristy Berington…OMG

Kiwi (on the right)

Fabio Berlusconi

John Vaughn

John Vaughn

Grayson Bruton

Peggy Sheehan

We met Grayson last August while we were touring the Mitch Seavey Dog Farm in Seward.

I am a wife of 58 years, a mother of 3 grown sons and a grandmother of 6.
This past fall I was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in 19 years. After learning of my cancer, I remembered Grayson telling us about the Auction and decided it would be a great distraction and positive thing to do. I am very excited and looking forward to this adventure.

Peggy Sheehan

Robert Bundtzen

Aaron Burmeister

Laird Nelms

I am Laird Nelms, a 4th grader from Austin, TX.  Both my parents have ridden as an IditaRiders, both aunts and both Grandparents.  Beverly Nelms (Grandmother) from Fort Worth, TX has ridden 24 years, every year since inception.. My sister Sky is also ridding this year!

We spend 3 days last year in Rainy Pass watching the mushers come in and take care of their amazing mushing dogs. 

Thanks Don Nelms of America for supporting us and the Iditarod all of these years!!!

Laird Nelms

Martin Buser

Teresa Newins

I moved from Montana to Alaska in 1981 and have been a passionate fan of the Iditarod Race since the day I arrived. I have had the opportunity to assist at the Rainy Pass checkpoint in 2010 on my 50th birthday and then will be out there this year again to celebrate my 60th birthday. My husband knows how much I love the race and gave me the IditaRide and Rainy pass trip as a birthday/Christmas present! I also am a huge fan of Martin Buser. His compassion for the sport and for the dogs is unmatched. I have a Martin Buser sled dog we got as a puppy named “Whoa Nellie” who is 12 years old and still going strong. She never got to participate in the Iditarod but now her owner is!

Teresa Newins

Jason Campeau

Gail Staugaard

My name is Gail. I was born in Inglewood Calif and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Being a competitive swimmer from the time i was 10 yrs old thru college, i also coached and taught swimming for over 10 years. Then I became a dispatcher for LAPD where i worked for 25 years. Im now retired and enjoy traveling with my husband, and visiting our 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
This is my 4th time as an Iditarider. My first ride was with Linwood Fiedler in 2013, then 2018 with Brett Bruggemann, and 2019 with Seth Barnes. Ive also been to Nome to see the end of the race. I love being a part of the race and getting to know the people involved. Im looking forward to another great ride and most of all, meeting Jason.

Gail Staugaard

Larry Daugherty

Katheryn Courville

I’m an RN and Professor at the University of Texas at Tyler – School of Nursing. This will be my 2nd Iditarod. I attended 2016 with my boyfriend, now fiance. We met Larry Daugherty on the trail (he probably doesn’t remember). He had such a great attitude about being in the race and he was very sweet with his dogs. We follow the race every year online. We are able to attend this year because it falls on my spring break. I love the race because I love Alaska, the mushers and mostly the dogs – they are true athletes!

Katheryn Courville

Jeff Deeter

John Berges

I have a hobby ranch in Missouri, ride horses in cattle competitions and have 4 dogs, one a retired racing dog from Black Spruce Dog Sledding.  My wife is Claudia.  Both of us were IditaRiders last year.

John Berges

Zoya DeNure

Karen Pihakis

I first read about dog sled racing when I was 15 yrs.old; I was ( and still am ) addicted to dogs !! Fast forward to the first year of the Iditarod, and my interest in the sport gained. Susan Butcher was the deal-breaker for me, and I vowed to one day fulfill my dream of participating in some way in this race. I met Tom Jarding, an Iditarod Extreme Sport race winner in July of 18’, and I knew Tom was my ticket to all things Iditarod race connected!   In a few short weeks, I will experience something I’ve waited a long time to do !!!

Karen Pihakis

Richie Diehl

Sky Nelms

I am Sky Nelms, a 6th grader from Austin, TX.  Both my parents have ridden as an IditaRiders, both aunts and both Grandparents.  Beverly Nelms (Grandmother) from Fort Worth, TX has ridden 24 years, every year since inception.. My Brother Laird is also first time rider this year!

We spent 3 days last year in Rainy Pass watching the mushers come in and take care of their amazing mushing dogs. 

Thanks Don Nelms of America for supporting us and the Iditarod all of these years!!!

Sky Nelms

Paige Drobny

Elaine Conway

My husband and I live in Virginia, but visit Alaska a few times each year. We always come the week of the Fur Rondy and I love to watch the start of the Iditarod. I am a homemaker in Virginia. My 2 daughters and their husbands live nearby with 6 of my grandchildren. My son and his wife live in Anchorage with 2 more grandchildren. I love quilting, traveling, and Va Tech football. I feel blessed to have this adventure of being and Iditarider.

Elaine Conway

Gabe Dunham

Kelly Villar

Kelly Villar is the 2020 Iditarod Teacher on the Trail.

Kelly Villar

Riley Dyche

Reilly

Reilly is an amazingly adventurous 10 year old whom is born and raised in Alaska. She has been saving her money for the last 6 years to be an IditaRider. She was hooked on huskies from day one and cannot wait to have her own. Until then she has a fun loving drahthaar named Indy to keep her company. Reilly has a deep love for animals and would like to be a veterinarian. She is currently an A student in school, she plays the guitar, sings in the school choir, is a competitive ski racer, & is learning jujitsu.

Reilly

Alan Eischens

Karen Boyko

My name is Karen Boyko.  I am 68 years old and a retired Physical Education / Health Teacher.  One of my teaching assignments was in Ketchikan Alaska! My late husband and I have 6 kids, 4 of which were adopted (3 from Russia), one of which we named “Denali,” 16 grand kids, and 12 greats!  When we retired, we had one adopted husky, moved to WA State and adopted 3 more after we discovered skijoring, then bikejoring.  Then adopted 4 more when we discovered Sled Dog Mushing!  I am known as the crazy husky grandma!  My “Bucket List” included being able to watch the start of the “Iditarod”, to become an IditaRider, and then be able to be in Nome to watch the Mushers as they cross the finish line.  This year I am humbled and honored to be able to do two of those things which includes having the marvelous experience of being an Iditarider.  Thus a new chapter has begun in my life and the “Bucket” will never be empty because life is always full of adventures.

Karen Boyko

Matthew Failor

Dan Richard Mailath

Dan Richard  Mailath was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and currently lives in Bates City, Missouri where he is a seventh grade honor roll student at Holden Middle School. He loves playing school sports such as soccer and baseball – being part of a team is the best! He has three younger sisters who keep him quite busy and on his toes at home. He absolutely loves the outdoors as much as he loves animals.  His family rescues animals so at any one time they can have several dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, etc., in their care.   His favorite things to do include riding his motor bike with his friends and playing video games up in his room. During the season, he looks forward to hunting for deer, squirrel and turkey.

Last summer during an Alaskan family vacation, Dan was introduced to the wonderful world of dog sledding with Matthew Failor.  He is excited for the opportunity to ride with Matthew in the 2020 Iditarod.

Dan Richard Mailath

Linwood Fiedler

Mary Kay Havens

Being an Iditarider with Linwood Fiedler is a dream come true for me.  I saw my first Iditarod from Cordova street in 2006 and hoped that one day I would be in a sled.  I have stood on the frozen lake in Willow and cheered each musher as they began the race.  In 2012 as a volunteer, I helped the riders out of their sleds at Campbell Air Strip and in 2016, in Nome, ran down Front Street to meet the mushers as they finished the race, then volunteered in the dog yard.  My daughter and I attended the banquet in Nome and met many of the mushers.  Very early one morning we helped Kathy and Linwood Fiedler assemble their dog crates to fly their dogs back home.  One summer my family and I rode the sleds on top of the glacier in Juneau.  Years I have not attended Iditarod in person I live streamed the start from my home in Plano, Texas and followed the progress of the mushers as an Iditarod Insider.  I can’t talk about Iditarod without my eyes filling with tears of joy.  March 7, 2020 is going to be a great day!

Mary Kay Havens

Nils Hahn

Markus

Markus is a 12-year-old from Virginia who loves dogs. Being an Iditarider will be the greatest surprise of his life!

Our tradition is a trip with mom alone for 10th birthday. Markus, the boy in the middle of two talkative, energetic sisters, never came up with an idea for his trip. Two years late, time for his younger sister to get her dream of seeing snow in Alaska to come true, but Markus cannot be left without his experience!

Giving up a week of middle school and time on Fortnite–completely worth getting to sit in the musher’s sled! There will likely be blue hair to celebrate. The ultimate challenge for a year-round shorts-wearing boy: actual pants required on this trip. He will find out destination when we leave for Anchorage! His sisters will love to cheer him on during the incredible adventure ahead. Keeping him from taking dogs home, mom’s job.

Markus

Karin Hendrickson

Charlotte Cassin

Jessie Holmes

Tom Frode Johansen

Kristy Grumbles

I’m a Texas girl who loves the outdoors, all kinds of animals, traveling and supporting women who make good role models for young girls! This will be my 4th trip to see the Iditarod and I couldn’t be more excited to be a rider!!! I’m a 4th grade teacher and my class is anxiously waiting for the start of the race! They have all picked a musher to support and written them letters and I have the fun job of bringing those letters to the mushers before the race! Being from Texas, the snow and the adrenaline of the race are like a Christmas present given in March!

Kristy Grumbles

Peter Kaiser

Janet Kaiser

I’m my son’s Idita Rider! Like Pete and his sister Tillie, I was born and raised in Bethel, Alaska. Their dad, my husband, Ron wanted the current champ to have his mom on board, and if any more reason is needed, it’s my birthday, March 3. Thank you, Ron! He kept it under wraps, too, bidding quietly onJanuary 17 right at closing, just as he was leaving to race in the Bogus Creek 150 during the Kuskokwim 300. Ron kept it quiet for as long as he could to make my Idita Ride with the champ a birthday surprise. 

Am I ever surprised! I’ve been involved in dog mushing, big time for a long time and always happy to be behind the scenes. I dedicate my ride through Anchorage to everyone who helps our mushers. A mother’s quyana (thank you) to family, friends, sponsors and volunteers!  

 Janet Kaiser

Magnus Kaltenborn

Dennis Kananowicz

Sherrie Roach

Sherrie Roach grew up in rural Kansas among two sixth generation farm & ranch families.  As a young girl thru high school, Sherrie & her two sisters showed horses in 4-H and KWHA.  After graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in Architecture & Design, she moved to Dallas, TX where she worked for 9 years as a Senior Project Designer for a major corporate interior architecture firm.  Sher has a deep love for travel which eventually led her to the Florida yachting industry in 2004.  Sherrie worked her way up to Chief Stewardess and has logged over 58,000 sea miles on yachts ranging from 40-50 meters in length.  She has sailed the waters of every island in the Caribbean chain, Central America, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Mexico, Mediterranean & entire North American East Coast to the tip of Labrador Canada.  Her love of world travel has taken her to 38 countries, with most being solo land adventures.   When Sherrie is not travelling or living & working aboard a yacht as crew, she enjoys getting back to her roots by being outdoors, growing plants & vegetables, working on one of her many design projects, & hunting in Kansas with her dad.  The Iditarod will be Sherrie’s first trip to Alaska!

Sherrie Roach

Jeremy Keller

Mandy Garcia

Kathleen was unable to attend the race.  She gifted her ride to Mandy Garcia.  Big thanks to Kathleen for this very special gift!  Kathleen, you are amazing.

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Kathleen Mathews

Jeff King

Dr. Kevin Paisley.

Jessica Klejka

  Tiffany

Tiffany is a 7th grade student and a fourth time Iditarider . She has ridden with Michelle Phillips twice, Kristin Bacon once and will ride with Jessica Klejka this year. Tiffany is active in school and was voted in as Secretary of the student council. She is an award winning soccer player who loves traveling to places such as Alaska and Africa as well as visiting her favorite….DisneyWorld. Tiffany has two black labs who will undoubtedly be jealous of her spending time with the sled dogs!

Tiffany

Tom Knolmayer

Garrett Stortz

I am representing the Special Olympics of Alaska. I have golfed in the World Games in Los Angeles 2015 and got bronze. I have competed at the National level in New Jersey and Seattle and got a Gold in both of these competitions. I have competed at the state level for about 11 years winning gold in those years and rising up to a level 5 high performance where I need to average 85 or better. I also compete in floor hockey and my Mat Su team has won several gold, silver and bronze medals. I work at the P

Garrett Stortz

Jim Lanier

Lance Mackey

Daun Reul

I am an avid outdoors woman who grew up in Wisconsin. My earliest memory was my father saying” I could do anything I wanted to do in life”.  With that said I did not take” you cannot do that” from anyone. My goal was always to be the best I could be and enjoy doing it. Passion was the main ingredient to my recipe. So when going fishing I caught the biggest and the most fish.  When playing sports, I played hard and was very knowledgeable. My desire for baseball has been with me for the past 30 years from coaching baseball to umpiring. Currently I am still umpiring and volunteering for Georgia Dizzy Dean Baseball as State Umpire Director. Thousands of umpires have been trained with my training manual.  I was the first female to umpire a High School game in 2002 with an organization in the metro Atlanta area and in 2001 was the 4th female to umpire in Cooperstown. Looking back 27 years ago, who would of thought reading a sign “umpires wanted” would bring so much joy to me.  Being retired here in Alaska allows me the opportunity of enjoying the outdoors.

Daun Reul

Kelly Maixner

Rita Skipper

I am a Registered Nurse from Arkansas. I love a good road trip and reading. A friend got me interested in the Iditarod and I came to my first Iditarod in 2005. This will be my 4th time as an Iditarider.

Rita Skipper

Meredith Mapes

Wade Marrs

Kimberly McCourtney

Kimberly McCourtney

Martin Massicotte

Marty Margeson

45 year Alaskan from Eastcoast; former college teacher, realtor, Sister Cities commissioner; global traveler. Single Mom with 2 daughters: eldest loves her dance teaching career; youngest is high school Senior; Disney aficionados; healthy lifestyle includes Qi Gong; multilingual n multi-degreed. Enjoy theatre, music, film, pets, cross country skiing n biking; gardening;the wonderful pristine beauty of Alaska and the unique opportunities for adventure. In 1988, Founded Anchorage Downtown B&B at Raspberry Meadows.

Marty Margeson

Quince Mountain

Kaci Murringer

Dan Mailath

I spent a day with Matthew Failor in July with my 12 year old grandson, Dan Richard Mailath. He is riding with Matt as his IditaRider. I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma and the President of Utility Review Consultants, which is a national utility auditing company that I founded in 1986. Our first trip to Alaska was in July of 2019 and I really enjoy the weather and the scenery.

Dan Mailath

Deke Naaktgeboren

Karen Stott

I have been an Iditarod volunteer as a Dog Handler 2012, 13, 14 and 15. The past 4 years I have worked a checkpoint as the timer at the John Beargrease race in Minn. I wanted to come back to Alaska and see the action from a new viewpoint! My travel pal and I will be volunteering again this year.

Karen Stott

Laura Neese

Susan Shinkai

I’ve been an Iditarod fan/supporter since 1999 when I came for the first time on my 40th birthday. I’ll be celebrating my 61st birthday as an IDITA-RIDER. I’ve been an Iditarod volunteer for 17 years in the Dog Lot in Nome, mostly working the overnight shifts. I love traveling, the outdoors, theme parks and sci fi conventions. I’m an avid photographer with over 5000 photos of the Iditarod. I support these habits as a full time hospital pharmacist and live in California with my boyfriend, Clint, and the biggest collections of skis, winter boots and light sabers.

Susan Shinkai

Tim Pappas

Jill Wilson

I grew up in Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University. When I got married, I moved to Maryland where I currently live with my husband of twenty years, Mark, and two dogs, Ellie and Hope. We love to travel and Alaska and the Florida Keys are two of our favorite destinations. I have followed the Iditarod for several years and am excited to be attending the Iditarod Conference for Educators. I am a STEM teacher for kindergarten through fourth grade. My students are excited about the race and ready to cheer on the mushers. This is my third Iditaride!

Jill Wilson

Aaron Peck

Make a Wish Child – Finley

Finley, age 10, is an active and outgoing local Alaskan who is currently battling leukemia. She’s a Make-A-Wish kid, and she’s riding with Aaron Peck on her first Iditarod today. While Finley awaits the end of treatment and receiving her Disney Cruise from Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, a host of supporters including Finley’s classmates, musher Aaron Peck, and ExxonMobil Alaska have made this experience possible.

Make a Wish Child – Finley

Nicolas Petit

Keith Skalsky

I am the Territory Manager for truck sales with Pape Kenworth Alaska. I recreationally dog sled as at one point I had 4 Siberian Husky’s, now down to just one. my wife and I own a company called Iditasled and we build miniature wood dog sleds. So we love this time of the year. Very excited to be part of the Iditarider .

Keith Skalsky

Michelle Phillips

Joane Bryant

Born and raised in New Zealand, I moved to the USA in 1976.  I am retired from the Los Angeles Police Department and now work part time as a travel agent.  My hobbies are leading a woman’s bible study group, travel, reading, and walking my dog.  In 1999, I adopted my first Husky Malamute from an animal shelter and promptly fell in love with him and the breed.  Shortly after his adoption, I heard about the Idtiarod and have followed it each year.  2019 was the first time I was able to attend the start of the race, thanks to being invited by a good friend whose husband was uable to make the trip.  To say I was excited is an understatement.  I was totally hooked.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be an IditaRider this year and cannot wait to come to Anchorage for the experience.

Joane Bryant

Mille Porsild

Libby Harrop

Libby Harrop has been coming to the Iditarod for 5 years. On her first visit she met Mille Porsild and since then they have become firm friends. When Mille signed up as a Rookie for the 2020 Iditarod, Libby knew she had to win the ride and return to Anchorage once again. Libby has been involved in growing lavender in New Zealand for the last 20 years. She is now retired and enjoying traveling to see children, grandchildren and far-flung places.

Libby Harrop

Damon Ramaker

Robert Redington

Barbara Pollock

I have been an Iditarod volunteer for twenty plus years. I have lived in Chugiak, Alaska for 13 of those years. I decided to give myself a coming up 82nd birthday present and ride in a sled at ceremonial start. Thanks to all my children and wonderful friends that have made this happen

Barbara Pollock

Ryan Redington

Hannah Crutcher

Hannah Crutcher

Jessie Royer

Beverly Nelms

Beverly Nelms

Brent Sass

Sheryl Beal

I am from a small town in Oregon where I was born and raised. I live with my husband, Dennis, two cute little Mini Aussies, three horses and three cats. I have three grown children and eight grandchildren ranging in age from 7-22 years. I retired from the State of Oregon after woking for 30 years.
This is my 8th year traveling to Alaska for the start of the Iditarod and I’m excited to be an IditaRider for the fourth year. I am a BIG fan of Brent Sass and Wild and Free Mushing. Brent’s ‘Attitude is Everything’ motto, his sportsmanship and love for his dogs is an inspiration!”

Sheryl Beal

Mitch Seavey

Nicole Wine

Nicole Wine

Lev Shvarts

 Tina Roberts

I am originally from Maine and have been enjoying life in Alaska with my husband since 2004. My husband and I have volunteered for the Iditarod for several years and love every aspect of the sport. We met Lev a couple of years ago and loved his attitude. Being an Iditarider has been a long time dream of mine. This year my husband surprised me with a birthday gift of a lifetime, being an Iditarider. 

Tina Roberts

Ramey Smyth

Mo Cortez (Monique)

Monique “Mo” Cortez, Wife to Ben, mother of 6 beautiful Alaskan born children. Safety, Quality, Environmental and Security Manager for Matson Navigation Company of Alaska. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, beach combing, camping and fishing etc. First time IditaRider, YAY! I am very excited for this opportunity!!

Mo Cortez

Joar Leifseth Ulsom

Cathy Schultz

I’ve followed the Iditarod for many years. It has been a dream of mine to experience it as a rider. I’ve visited a few kennels and met a couple of mushers while visiting Alaska a few years ago. I love dogs, and own 3 golden retrievers, 2 that are rescues. I’ve volunteered with the Golden Retriever Rescue Midflorida for 14 years. I’m married, and my husband Bill is attending the race with me. We have 3 adult sons. I’m a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Florida. I love photography, traveling, and have many hobbies. I hope to also see the Northern Lights while we are here for the Iditarod.

Cathy Schultz

Thomas Waerner

Nancy Livingston

I am Emeritus Faculty from San Diego State University/Imperial Valley Campus Division of Education; and became involved with Iditarod supporting the EDUCATION CONFERENCE enrolling 28 of our university Intern Teachers in academic professional development. I am a 20 years IditaRider having ridden 5 years with Alaskan mushers (Dan Giovanni, Lynda Plettner, Rick Swenson, Mike Williams, Robert Nelson), and 15 years with Norwegian mushers (Team Norway’s Champion Robert Sorlie, Bjornar Andersen, Ketil Backen, and Sigrid Ekran, Champion Joar Leifseth Ulsom, Lars Monsen, Niklas Wikstrand). You can anticipate meeting some sled dogs that will capture your heart, riding through scenery of exceptional beauty only found in Alaska, and capturing a life memory to recall for the rest of your life of this Idita-riding experience. To each of my Norwegians….Heia Norge…and to all mushers and teams safe and fun trails Iditarod 2020!

Nancy Livingston

Monica Zappa

Aliy Zirkle

Jon Dreyfus, California

Jon Dreyfus, California