Doug Grilliot was born in 1959 and grew up southeastern Oklahoma. After graduating from East Central Oklahoma State University with a BS in Marketing, he became a pilot for Northwest Airlines. His job as an airline pilot brought him to Alaska in 1991.

Doug began running sled dogs in 1998 and like so many other mushers was influenced by Don Bowers, who he had met thru mutual friends. Doug credits his formal mushing education to John Barron, whom he was able to train with for two years.

Doug completed the Yukon Quest in 2001 and 2002. This will be Doug’s first Iditarod and he plans on bringing a well-conditioned, experienced team of veterans to this year’s race. His philosophy about racing sled dogs has never changed, he plans on running his team to the best performance they are capable of while providing the best care possible for the dogs.

In addition to the Yukon Quest, Doug has run the John Beargrease Marathon, finishing second, the Knik 200, and the Copper Basin 300 for the last four years.

Doug and his wife Krista, have two boys, Nate 19, and Keith, 17. All are a great help at the kennel and all enjoying fishing, hunting, and flying small airplanes around Alaska.