Charley Bejna, 45, a self-described adventurer, was born and raised in Addison, Illinois. He first came to Alaska in 1991 with his dad and toured most of the State. He flew up to see the Iditarod in 2006 and became interested in running dogs from then on. He has been an Idita-Rider (with Bruce Linton), handler (for GB Jones), a tag sled driver (for GB Jones), and now a musher. He has owned Charley’s Landscaping Co. for the past 28 years and currently operates the company in the summer months in Addison, Illinois. He also owns 31 sled dogs, including several retired ones, at his kennel in Knik. Charley has been a type 1 Diabetic (insulin pump dependent) for the past 18 years. “Managing my Diabetes on a daily basis is definitely a challenge. I am entering the 2019 Iditarod to enjoy the race, spend time with my dogs and see the beauty that Alaska has to offer. As a type 1 Diabetic, I want to show other diabetics that you can still live a normal life, even with Diabetes, as long as you take care of yourself to the best of your ability.” This will be Charley’s seventh Iditarod, and he says “A Big thanks to my dogs, my family, friends and everyone else who support me in running the Iditarod Race.”