Musher Details

2016 Iditarod » Mushers » Justin Savidis

Justin Savidis

Bib Number: 46
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

Catty Librarian
Tupper & Gilly
Carol Harris
Mollypop & Sam & LouLou
BooBear
Natasia the Nefarious Borzoi
Masquers & Bear Spirit Dog
The Newf Pack
Wolfie Wigglebutt
Oley Howlers
Basil & Sage
Macy the MinPin
Turtleman Fred
Trisha Harding of the UK,
Cherokee & Tundra
Scout
Diane C.
Herd of Hounds
Tyb
Linda Jarzynski
Rose & Grizz Witte
Staff, Alice M. Johnson and Abbie

Teddy the Ruff Rider of Chevy Chase
Mick & Jodi Oxenrider
Mark Atkins
Carol Lee Harris
Coach & Bev Haun
The Prospector Alaska’s Finest Outfitters
Five Sibes Sewing and Repair
MOJO
C&C Auto
ManMat
Kathleen Towns
Almitra Thomas, M.D. & Bobbie Thomas
Beau the Black Pug
Rio the Evil Pug
Bluecat
B. Stover
Barb & Maggie & Lucy
SiberH
Dawson
Spencer Quinn
Chet the Dog Plunderers
Dr. Carson’s All Natural Products


2016 Standings

Checkpoint Time In Dogs In Time Out Dogs Out Rest Time Previous Layover Status Distance
Enroute Time Speed (mph) 8hr 24hr
Anchorage 3/05 11:36:00 16 3/05 11:36:00 16 0h 0m
Willow 3/06 15:28:00 16
Yentna 3/06 19:11:00 16 3/06 19:16:00 16 0h 5m 3h 43m 11.30 42
Skwentna 3/07 01:53:00 16 3/07 02:04:00 16 0h 11m 6h 37m 4.53 30
Finger Lake 3/07 06:49:00 16 3/07 10:40:00 16 3h 51m 4h 45m 8.42 40
Rainy Pass 3/07 14:25:00 16 3/07 18:01:00 16 3h 36m 3h 45m 8.00 30
Rohn 3/07 22:41:00 16 3/08 03:51:00 14 5h 10m 4h 40m 7.50 35
Nikolai 3/08 12:55:00 14 3/08 18:08:00 14 5h 13m 9h 4m 8.27 75
McGrath 3/09 00:11:00 14 3/10 01:31:00 14 25h 20m 6h 3m 7.93 ✔ 48
Takotna 3/10 03:42:00 14 3/10 03:46:00 14 0h 4m 2h 11m 8.24 ✔ 18
Ophir 3/10 06:31:00 14 3/10 10:06:00 14 3h 35m 2h 45m 8.36 ✔ 23
Cripple 3/10 23:31:00 14 3/11 05:28:00 13 5h 57m 13h 25m 5.44 ✔ 73
Ruby 3/11 16:33:00 13 3/12 00:42:00 13 8h 9m 11h 5m 6.32 ✔ ✔ 70
Galena 3/12 07:54:00 13 3/12 15:43:00 13 7h 49m 7h 12m 6.94 ✔ ✔ 50
Nulato 3/12 23:21:00 13 3/13 06:42:00 12 6h 21m 7h 38m 4.85 ✔ ✔ 37
Kaltag 3/13 11:24:00 12 3/13 18:22:00 11 6h 58m 4h 42m 10.00 ✔ ✔ 47
Unalakleet 3/14 09:25:00 11 3/14 14:20:00 11 4h 55m 15h 3m 5.65 ✔ ✔ 85
Shaktoolik 3/14 20:48:00 11 3/15 04:15:00 11 7h 27m 6h 28m 6.19 ✔ ✔ 40
Koyuk 3/15 10:55:00 11 3/15 17:35:00 11 6h 40m 6h 40m 7.50 ✔ ✔ 50
Elim 3/15 23:35:00 11 3/16 05:40:00 11 6h 5m 6h 0m 8.00 ✔ ✔ 48
White Mountain 3/16 11:47:00 11 3/16 19:49:00 11 8h 2m 6h 7m 7.52 ✔ ✔ 46
Safety 3/17 02:46:00 11 3/17 02:51:00 11 0h 5m 6h 57m 7.91 ✔ ✔ 55
Nome 3/17 05:44:35 11 2h 53m 7.63 ✔ ✔ 22