Musher Details

2012 Iditarod » Mushers » Justin Savidis

Justin Savidis

Bib Number: 38
Hometown: Willow, Alaska
Website:


Biography

In 2004, Justin (AJ), 41, and his wife, Rebecca, packed their worldly belongings into a truck and a trailer, complete with a rocking chair strapped to the top, and moved to Willow, Alaska to follow a job offer, and more importantly, to chase down a dream of running dogs. It was a quick journey from having a couple of dogs and handling for other mushers to establishing a kennel of their own, and then setting the goal to prepare for and race in the Iditarod. Today, they operate Snowhook Kennel comprised of 40+ dogs—some are rescues, some procured from other mushers, and others are a result of the Snowhook Kennel recipe. Growing up in Southeast Idaho, Justin has always sought out adventure including mountaineering and whitewater kayaking. Mushing and the Iditarod are a natural fit for Justin’s sense of and need for adventure—he and the dogs live for pulling the snow hook! Justin’s racing career includes the Rich Allen ‘For Love of Dogs’ award for exceptional dog care and a 5th place finish in the 2013 Northern Lights 300, a 1st place finish in the 2012 Don Bowers Memorial Sled Dog Race, and a 1st place finish and receiving the Humanitarian Award in the 2011 Don Bowers Memorial Sled Dog Race—the awards for dog care are by far the bigger honors. Justin earned his degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism with an emphasis on experiential education from the University of Utah in 2002. Driven to help others, his career path has been focused on working with youth at risk. In addition to running dogs, Justin enjoys kayaking, climbing, languages and reading.

Sponsors

Currents
Alaska Executive Search
Paw Partners
Coach & Bev Haun (the in-laws)
Mark Atkins

Carol Comeau (2011 Iditarider)
Cody & Kelly Olson
Matt Keortge
Nora Conner
Chet the Dog Plunderers: Dawson, Siber-H, Barb & Maggie, B. Stover, Bluecat, Mollie (A Black Poodle), Spencer Quinn, Rio the Evil Pug, Wookie of Chevy Chase, Staff & Alice M. Johnson and Abbie the Kitty, OleyHowlers, Wolfie Wigglebutt, the pack at River B


2012 Standings

Checkpoint Time In Dogs In Time Out Dogs Out Rest Time Previous Layover Status Distance
Enroute Time Speed (mph) 8hr 24hr
Anchorage 3/03 11:19:00 12
Willow 3/04 15:12:00 16
Yentna Station 3/04 19:17:00 16 3/04 19:22:00 16 0h 5m 4h 5m 10.29 42
Skwentna 3/04 22:28:00 16 3/05 03:43:00 16 5h 15m 3h 6m 9.68 30
Finger Lake 3/05 08:31:00 16 3/05 09:41:00 16 1h 10m 4h 48m 8.33 40
Rainy Pass 3/05 13:13:00 16 3/05 19:06:00 16 5h 53m 3h 32m 8.49 30
Rohn 3/05 23:22:00 16 3/06 04:32:00 16 5h 10m 4h 16m 8.20 35
Nikolai 3/06 15:03:00 16 3/06 23:23:00 15 8h 20m 10h 31m 7.13 75
McGrath 3/07 06:58:00 15 3/08 07:56:00 14 24h 58m 7h 35m 6.33 ✔ 48
Takotna 3/08 10:02:00 14 3/08 10:20:00 14 0h 18m 2h 6m 8.57 ✔ 18
Ophir 3/08 13:03:00 14 3/08 17:10:00 14 4h 7m 2h 43m 8.47 ✔ 23
Cripple 3/09 06:01:00 14 3/09 14:37:00 14 8h 36m 12h 51m 5.68 ✔ 73
Ruby 3/10 01:38:00 14 3/10 10:20:00 14 8h 42m 11h 1m 6.35 ✔ ✔ 70
Galena 3/10 17:21:00 14 3/11 05:35:00 13 11h 14m 7h 1m 7.13 ✔ ✔ 50
Nulato 3/11 12:29:00 13 3/11 18:22:00 13 5h 53m 6h 54m 5.36 ✔ ✔ 37
Kaltag 3/11 23:30:00 13 3/12 08:15:00 13 8h 45m 5h 8m 9.16 ✔ ✔ 47
Unalakleet 3/13 00:44:00 13 3/13 14:17:00 13 13h 33m 16h 29m 5.16 ✔ ✔ 85
Shaktoolik 3/13 20:34:00 13 3/14 03:07:00 12 6h 33m 6h 17m 6.37 ✔ ✔ 40
Koyuk 3/14 17:02:00 12 3/15 03:00:00 12 9h 58m 13h 55m 3.59 ✔ ✔ 50
Elim 3/15 09:58:00 12 3/15 14:33:00 12 4h 35m 6h 58m 6.89 ✔ ✔ 48
White Mountain 3/15 21:57:00 12 3/16 06:09:00 11 8h 12m 7h 24m 6.22 ✔ ✔ 46
Safety 3/16 15:34:00 11 3/16 15:56:00 11 0h 22m 9h 25m 5.84 ✔ ✔ 55
Nome 3/16 19:45:53 11 3h 49m 5.76 ✔ ✔ 22