Musher Details

2014 Iditarod » Mushers » Justin Savidis

Justin Savidis

Bib Number: 34
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

Dr. John Boston Internal Medicine
Abbie the Kitty, OleyHowlers, Wolfie Wigglebutt, the pack at River Bear Newfoundlands, Barb & Bear Spirit Dog, Masquers & Nana, Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi, Gus & BooBear, Mollypop,
Chet the Dog Plunderers: Dawson, Siber-H, Barb & Maggie, B. Stover, Bluecat, Spencer Quinn, Rio the Evil Pug, Beau the Black Pug, Wookie &Teddy Ruff Rider, Staff & Alice M. Johnson and
The Prospector
Dr. Carson's All Natural Products
Stormy Kromer
Alaska Sand & Gravel
Coach & Bev Haun (the in-laws)

Carol Lee Harris
Mark Atkins
Mick & Jodi Oxenrider
Scott Schlesinger
Alex Alexander
Jim & Vicki Sutterfield
Steve ‘Grizz’ & Rose Witte
Princess Sam & LouLou, CHobbitHarris, Tupper & Gilly, Basil & Sage, Macy the Min-Pin, Wose, Linda Jarzynski, Kirby T. Penworthy, Tyb, LizF, Sharon & the Herd of Hounds


2014 Standings

Checkpoint Time In Dogs In Time Out Dogs Out Rest Time Previous Layover Status Distance
Enroute Time Speed (mph) 8hr 24hr
Anchorage 3/01 11:10:00 12
Willow 3/02 15:04:00 16
Yentna Station 3/02 18:53:00 16 3/02 18:58:00 16 0h 5m 3h 49m 11.00 42
Skwentna 3/03 01:00:00 16 3/03 01:05:00 16 0h 5m 6h 2m 4.97 30
Finger Lake 3/03 05:52:00 16 3/03 09:57:00 16 4h 5m 4h 47m 8.36 40
Rainy Pass 3/03 13:24:00 16 3/03 17:49:00 15 4h 25m 3h 27m 8.70 30
Rohn 3/03 22:29:00 15 3/04 05:15:00 15 6h 46m 4h 40m 7.50 35
Nikolai 3/04 19:41:00 15 3/05 00:29:00 15 4h 48m 14h 26m 5.20 75
McGrath 3/05 06:19:00 15 3/06 07:33:00 15 25h 14m 5h 50m 8.23 ✔ 48
Takotna 3/06 09:38:00 15 3/06 09:42:00 14 0h 4m 2h 5m 8.64 ✔ 18
Ophir 3/06 12:00:00 14 3/06 16:45:00 14 4h 45m 2h 18m 10.00 ✔ 23
Cripple 3/07 03:29:00 14 3/07 11:54:00 14 8h 25m 10h 44m 6.80 ✔ 73
Ruby 3/07 21:40:00 14 3/08 06:11:00 14 8h 31m 9h 46m 7.17 ✔ ✔ 70
Galena 3/08 12:05:00 14 3/08 17:08:00 14 5h 3m 5h 54m 8.47 ✔ ✔ 50
Nulato 3/08 23:31:00 14 3/09 05:06:00 13 4h 35m 6h 23m 5.80 ✔ ✔ 37
Kaltag 3/09 09:47:00 13 3/09 16:01:00 12 6h 14m 4h 41m 10.04 ✔ ✔ 47
Unalakleet 3/10 02:09:00 12 3/10 10:43:00 12 8h 34m 10h 8m 8.39 ✔ ✔ 85
Shaktoolik 3/10 17:01:00 12 3/11 12:44:00 12 19h 43m 6h 18m 6.35 ✔ ✔ 40
Koyuk 3/11 19:33:00 12 3/12 01:28:00 12 5h 55m 6h 49m 7.33 ✔ ✔ 50
Elim 3/12 07:46:00 12 3/12 10:42:00 12 2h 56m 6h 18m 7.62 ✔ ✔ 48
White Mountain 3/12 17:41:00 12 3/13 01:41:00 11 8h 0m 6h 59m 6.59 ✔ ✔ 46
Safety 3/13 09:07:00 11 3/13 09:08:00 11 0h 1m 7h 26m 7.40 ✔ ✔ 55
Nome 3/13 12:18:24 11 3h 10m 6.95 ✔ ✔ 22