Musher Details

2015 Iditarod » Mushers » Justin Savidis

Justin Savidis

Bib Number: 19
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. Carson's All Natural Products
C&C Auto
The Prospector
Lewis & Lewis
Five Buck Truck Funders
Coach & Bev Haun (the in-laws)
Carol Lee Harris
Mark Atkins
Mick & Jodi Oxenrider
Stewart & Cherie Ball
Marcus & Connie Blackstone
Bart Blackburn & family
Jim & Vicki Sutterfield
Joseph McCannon
Keith Schwab;
Kathleen Towns
Gregory Zederayko
Nola Woehrle
Jim Latham
Chet the Dog Plunderers
Spencer Quinn, Dawson
SiberH
Barb & Maggie & Lucy
B. Stover, Bluecat

Rio the Evil Pug
Beau the Black Pug
Wookie & Teddy the Ruff Rider
Staff & Alice M. Johnson & Abbie the Kitty
Oley Howlers
Wolfie Wigglebutt
the Newf Pack
Masquers & Bear Spirit Dog
Natasha the Nefarious Borzoi, BooBear]
Mollypop & Sam & LouLou
CHobbitHarris
Tupper & Gilly
Basil & Sage
Macy the Min-Pin
Rose & Grizz
Linda Jarzynski
Tyb
Kirby T. Penworthy
Herd of Hounds
LizF
Diane C.
Scout
Cherokee & Tundra
Trisha Harding of the UK


2015 Standings

Checkpoint Time In Dogs In Time Out Dogs Out Rest Time Previous Layover Status Distance
Enroute Time Speed (mph) 8hr 24hr
Anchorage 3/07 10:37:00 12
Fairbanks 3/09 10:34:00 16
Nenana 3/09 16:01:00 16 3/09 20:26:00 16 4h 25m 5h 27m 11.01 60
Manley Hot Springs 3/10 07:48:00 16 3/10 13:23:00 16 5h 35m 11h 22m 7.92 90
Tanana 3/10 20:37:00 16 3/11 04:37:00 16 8h 0m 7h 14m 9.12 ✔ 66
Ruby 3/12 01:15:00 16 3/12 06:45:00 14 5h 30m 20h 38m 5.77 ✔ 119
Galena 3/12 13:48:00 14 3/13 15:51:00 14 26h 3m 7h 3m 7.09 ✔ ✔ 50
Huslia 3/14 07:12:00 14 3/14 14:40:00 14 7h 28m 15h 21m 5.34 ✔ ✔ 82
Koyukuk 3/15 06:02:00 14 3/15 12:43:00 14 6h 41m 15h 22m 5.60 ✔ ✔ 86
Nulato 3/15 15:33:00 14 3/15 15:40:00 13 0h 7m 2h 50m 7.76 ✔ ✔ 22
Kaltag 3/15 21:19:00 13 3/16 05:15:00 12 7h 56m 5h 39m 8.32 ✔ ✔ 47
Unalakleet 3/16 23:28:00 12 3/17 06:47:00 12 7h 19m 18h 13m 4.67 ✔ ✔ 85
Shaktoolik 3/17 13:44:00 12 3/17 18:08:00 12 4h 24m 6h 57m 5.76 ✔ ✔ 40
Koyuk 3/18 02:55:00 12 3/18 16:57:00 12 14h 2m 8h 47m 5.69 ✔ ✔ 50
Elim 3/19 00:30:00 12 3/19 06:15:00 11 5h 45m 7h 33m 6.36 ✔ ✔ 48
White Mountain 3/19 14:43:00 11 3/19 23:00:00 11 8h 17m 8h 28m 5.43 ✔ ✔ 46
Safety 3/20 07:17:00 11 3/20 07:19:00 11 0h 2m 8h 17m 6.64 ✔ ✔ 55
Nome 3/20 10:35:10 11 3h 16m 6.73 ✔ ✔ 22