Musher and dog breeder, Doug Swingley, 53, was born in Montana. He began mushing in 1989. His brother, Greg, sparked his interest in the Iditarod and he has been hooked ever since. He is a four-time Iditarod champion. He says he continues to run the Iditarod because “I love traveling with my dogs.” Doug is a member of the Montana Mountain Mushers, Mush with P.R.I.D.E. and the ITC. Doug is married to Melanie Shirilla, also a musher. Doug has two adult children, Heidi and Wes. He lists his hobbies as dogs, Melanie and airplanes.