Born in Russia on January 10, 1964, Anna Bondarenko is participating in her second Iditarod. Anna is a graduate of the Music Conservatory in Saratov, Russia and is known to sing to her dogs as they move along the trail. She has a Master’s Degree in Special and Regular Education and has been employed for the past 3 years as a Special Education Teacher.

In 1999, Anna saw a quote in the March 20th edition of the Anchorage Daily News, that inspired her to run the Iditarod. She finished the 2000 Iditarod in 53rd position.