Iditarod XXXVII - The ChallengeI am an unabashed fan of the Iditarod, a truly unique event that for 16 days each March unites us Alaskans - despite our differences - in wonder and appreciation for the intrepid mushers and their amazingly athletic canine teams.
I've been following this annual 1,000-mile sled dog race on TV and in the newspaper every year since I first arrived in Alaska 33 years ago. Many years I have gone downtown or out along the trail here in Anchorage to cheer on the mushers as they take their ceremonial run through the city on the first Saturday of March. My husband has been an Iditarod volunteer over the past few years, so we have traveled to Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage, for the restart, as well. Last year right after the race, he suggested that it might be fun to take a trip out to Nome for the 2009 finish, and I, of course, agreed, having never been to the finish, nor even Western Alaska. So we made our reservations for a week at the funky but friendly Nome Nugget Inn, right at the finish line, and started counting down the months.
Finally, March 7th arrived, the day of the "ceremonial start" in Anchorage. This is a short 11-mile run, mostly for the benefit of the fans, from downtown Anchorage, along a trail through town to the Campbell Airstrip. Most of Anchorage, as well as supporters from around the world, gather all along the route (or around their TV sets) to cheer on their favorites and celebrate the sport.
In this gallery and in the one following, "Nome Sweet Nome," I will be sharing some of my photographic impressions of this year's very memorable "last great race."http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/4thAve530/502194610_j4mrq-Ti-1.jpghttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/gallery/7763910_s8Dmj/2009-04-05T14:51:58ZCopyright 2010, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved.SmugMugIt's about 5:45 a.m. on Fourth Avenue. The volunteers have been given their instructions and are waiting for the teams to arrive so they can get everyone parked in the right order. The tea ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />It's about 5:45 a.m. on Fourth Avenue. The volunteers have been given their instructions and are waiting for the teams to arrive so they can get everyone parked in the right order. The tea ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502194610_j4mrq" title="It's about 5:45 a.m. on Fourth Avenue. The volunteers have been given their instructions and are waiting for the teams to arrive so they can get everyone parked in the right order. The tea ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/4thAve530/502194610_j4mrq-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="98" alt="It's about 5:45 a.m. on Fourth Avenue. The volunteers have been given their instructions and are waiting for the teams to arrive so they can get everyone parked in the right order. The tea ..." title="It's about 5:45 a.m. on Fourth Avenue. The volunteers have been given their instructions and are waiting for the teams to arrive so they can get everyone parked in the right order. The tea ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:45:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/4thAve530/502194610_j4mrq-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 06:12:24I believe, but I'm not sure, that this is Iditarod veteran Louie Nelson. He didn't run the race this year but assisted his son Robert, who is running his second Iditarod.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />I believe, but I'm not sure, that this is Iditarod veteran Louie Nelson. He didn't run the race this year but assisted his son Robert, who is running his second Iditarod.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502205876_RpWnW" title="I believe, but I'm not sure, that this is Iditarod veteran Louie Nelson. He didn't run the race this year but assisted his son Robert, who is running his second Iditarod."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/iditarod-1/502205876_RpWnW-Th-1.jpg" width="103" height="150" alt="I believe, but I'm not sure, that this is Iditarod veteran Louie Nelson. He didn't run the race this year but assisted his son Robert, who is running his second Iditarod." title="I believe, but I'm not sure, that this is Iditarod veteran Louie Nelson. He didn't run the race this year but assisted his son Robert, who is running his second Iditarod." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-03T05:39:18Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/iditarod-1/502205876_RpWnW-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 07:54:57A volunteer directing an arriving team.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />A volunteer directing an arriving team.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502214370_YuDXH" title="A volunteer directing an arriving team."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/New-Image/502214370_YuDXH-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="A volunteer directing an arriving team." title="A volunteer directing an arriving team." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:47:44Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/New-Image/502214370_YuDXH-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:02:22Gearing up.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Gearing up.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502193267_uB6Qv" title="Gearing up."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/17/502193267_uB6Qv-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="102" alt="Gearing up." title="Gearing up." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:48:20Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/17/502193267_uB6Qv-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:03:39northernvisions' photo<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a> </p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502193276_4U2K5" title="northernvisions' photo"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/18/502193276_4U2K5-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="northernvisions' photo" title="northernvisions' photo" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:41:01Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/18/502193276_4U2K5-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:04:23northernvisions' photo<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a> </p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502193616_mpvt3" title="northernvisions' photo"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/19/502193616_mpvt3-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="northernvisions' photo" title="northernvisions' photo" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:40:49Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/19/502193616_mpvt3-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:09:28The dogs are just hanging out, posing for the camera.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />The dogs are just hanging out, posing for the camera.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502194100_sQ4YL" title="The dogs are just hanging out, posing for the camera."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/20/502194100_sQ4YL-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="The dogs are just hanging out, posing for the camera." title="The dogs are just hanging out, posing for the camera." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:49:43Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/20/502194100_sQ4YL-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:11:49A crowd begins to gather at the corner of Fourth and D Strreets, the official ceremonial start.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />A crowd begins to gather at the corner of Fourth and D Strreets, the official ceremonial start.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502194757_vBNAU" title="A crowd begins to gather at the corner of Fourth and D Strreets, the official ceremonial start."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/21/502194757_vBNAU-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="97" alt="A crowd begins to gather at the corner of Fourth and D Strreets, the official ceremonial start." title="A crowd begins to gather at the corner of Fourth and D Strreets, the official ceremonial start." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:50:48Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/21/502194757_vBNAU-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:12:45More gearing up.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />More gearing up.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502206512_JnCtL" title="More gearing up."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-17/502206512_JnCtL-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="More gearing up." title="More gearing up." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:51:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-17/502206512_JnCtL-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:16:22More people.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />More people.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502206869_REBHj" title="More people."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-18/502206869_REBHj-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="More people." title="More people." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T16:07:58Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-18/502206869_REBHj-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:37:52Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502207921_8XcNH" title="Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6795/502207921_8XcNH-Th-1.jpg" width="106" height="150" alt="Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King" title="Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:52:07Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6795/502207921_8XcNH-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 08:44:43Ed Iten with his "Iditarider." People bid on the opportunity to ride in the sled for the 11 miles. I think it probably ends up costing them quite a bit, especially to get a ride with the ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ed Iten with his "Iditarider." People bid on the opportunity to ride in the sled for the 11 miles. I think it probably ends up costing them quite a bit, especially to get a ride with the ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502207075_aAFEb" title="Ed Iten with his "Iditarider." People bid on the opportunity to ride in the sled for the 11 miles. I think it probably ends up costing them quite a bit, especially to get a ride with the ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-3/502207075_aAFEb-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Ed Iten with his "Iditarider." People bid on the opportunity to ride in the sled for the 11 miles. I think it probably ends up costing them quite a bit, especially to get a ride with the ..." title="Ed Iten with his "Iditarider." People bid on the opportunity to ride in the sled for the 11 miles. I think it probably ends up costing them quite a bit, especially to get a ride with the ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T14:56:21Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-3/502207075_aAFEb-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 10:03:43Four of Rick Swenson's team rounding the corner of Fourth and Cordova...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Four of Rick Swenson's team rounding the corner of Fourth and Cordova...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502222786_Z696W" title="Four of Rick Swenson's team rounding the corner of Fourth and Cordova..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Swensondogs/502222786_Z696W-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="87" alt="Four of Rick Swenson's team rounding the corner of Fourth and Cordova..." title="Four of Rick Swenson's team rounding the corner of Fourth and Cordova..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-03-30T16:09:28Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Swensondogs/502222786_Z696W-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 10:14:20...which is a "camera corner."<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />...which is a "camera corner."</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502207682_VmvGt" title="...which is a "camera corner.""><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-4/502207682_VmvGt-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="99" alt="...which is a "camera corner."" title="...which is a "camera corner."" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-17T13:13:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-4/502207682_VmvGt-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 10:33:15Ray Redington, Jr., and rider<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ray Redington, Jr., and rider</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506367969_jkRZb" title="Ray Redington, Jr., and rider"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6825/506367969_jkRZb-Th.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Ray Redington, Jr., and rider" title="Ray Redington, Jr., and rider" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-17T13:13:14Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6825/506367969_jkRZb-Th.jpg2009-03-07 10:16:24Jerry Willomitzer<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Jerry Willomitzer</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506368086_pvjfe" title="Jerry Willomitzer"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6833/506368086_pvjfe-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Jerry Willomitzer" title="Jerry Willomitzer" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-17T13:13:14Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6833/506368086_pvjfe-Th.jpg2009-03-07 10:25:50Let's go!<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Let's go!</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502207711_ipN4x" title="Let's go!"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-5/502207711_ipN4x-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="90" alt="Let's go!" title="Let's go!" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:02:57Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-5/502207711_ipN4x-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 10:38:45Hans Gatt with his protegee, Jamaican musher, Newton Marshall, and their Iditarider. Newton finished the 1000-mile Yukon Quest this year, but did not compete in the Iditarod.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Hans Gatt with his protegee, Jamaican musher, Newton Marshall, and their Iditarider. Newton finished the 1000-mile Yukon Quest this year, but did not compete in the Iditarod.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502207070_zff3c" title="Hans Gatt with his protegee, Jamaican musher, Newton Marshall, and their Iditarider. Newton finished the 1000-mile Yukon Quest this year, but did not compete in the Iditarod."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-19/502207070_zff3c-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Hans Gatt with his protegee, Jamaican musher, Newton Marshall, and their Iditarider. Newton finished the 1000-mile Yukon Quest this year, but did not compete in the Iditarod." title="Hans Gatt with his protegee, Jamaican musher, Newton Marshall, and their Iditarider. Newton finished the 1000-mile Yukon Quest this year, but did not compete in the Iditarod." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:02:57Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-19/502207070_zff3c-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 10:50:00Melissa Owens and team<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Melissa Owens and team</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502215214_FaULR" title="Melissa Owens and team"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Owens/502215214_FaULR-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="90" alt="Melissa Owens and team" title="Melissa Owens and team" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:02:57Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Owens/502215214_FaULR-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 11:00:49Cim Smyth<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Cim Smyth</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506368098_8MmgZ" title="Cim Smyth"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6869/506368098_8MmgZ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Cim Smyth" title="Cim Smyth" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-25T09:26:52Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6869/506368098_8MmgZ-Th.jpg2009-03-07 11:16:31Some of John Baker's team<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Some of John Baker's team</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502198984_mNJ2U" title="Some of John Baker's team"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Bakerdogs/502198984_mNJ2U-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Some of John Baker's team" title="Some of John Baker's team" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:00Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Bakerdogs/502198984_mNJ2U-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 11:31:59Lance Mackey with his eye on a third straight victory.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Lance Mackey with his eye on a third straight victory.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502207652_gsXfd" title="Lance Mackey with his eye on a third straight victory."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-6/502207652_gsXfd-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Lance Mackey with his eye on a third straight victory." title="Lance Mackey with his eye on a third straight victory." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:00Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iditarod-6/502207652_gsXfd-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 11:38:49Rob Loveman<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Rob Loveman</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502210674_3FRRd" title="Rob Loveman"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Loveman/502210674_3FRRd-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="102" alt="Rob Loveman" title="Rob Loveman" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:00Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Loveman/502210674_3FRRd-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 11:44:49Kim Darst takes a tumble.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Kim Darst takes a tumble.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502200521_bFssZ" title="Kim Darst takes a tumble."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Darst/502200521_bFssZ-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Kim Darst takes a tumble." title="Kim Darst takes a tumble." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:00Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Darst/502200521_bFssZ-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 11:50:33This gentleman's wife saved for several years until she had enough money to give him a trip to Alaska and an Iditaride for his birthday. His musher is Tim Osmar.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />This gentleman's wife saved for several years until she had enough money to give him a trip to Alaska and an Iditaride for his birthday. His musher is Tim Osmar.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502203633_2i6Tw" title="This gentleman's wife saved for several years until she had enough money to give him a trip to Alaska and an Iditaride for his birthday. His musher is Tim Osmar."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gift/502203633_2i6Tw-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="This gentleman's wife saved for several years until she had enough money to give him a trip to Alaska and an Iditaride for his birthday. His musher is Tim Osmar." title="This gentleman's wife saved for several years until she had enough money to give him a trip to Alaska and an Iditaride for his birthday. His musher is Tim Osmar." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:01Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gift/502203633_2i6Tw-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:00:49Some of Rachel Scdoris's team.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Some of Rachel Scdoris's team.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502219979_Z4qy2" title="Some of Rachel Scdoris's team."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Scedorisdogs/502219979_Z4qy2-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="93" alt="Some of Rachel Scdoris's team." title="Some of Rachel Scdoris's team." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:01Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Scedorisdogs/502219979_Z4qy2-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:02:20Kurt Reich and riders<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Kurt Reich and riders</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502217072_YvGdG" title="Kurt Reich and riders"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Reich/502217072_YvGdG-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Kurt Reich and riders" title="Kurt Reich and riders" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:01Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Reich/502217072_YvGdG-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:04:52Eric Rogers' lead dogs.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Eric Rogers' lead dogs.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502217727_LyYev" title="Eric Rogers' lead dogs."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/rogersdogs/502217727_LyYev-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Eric Rogers' lead dogs." title="Eric Rogers' lead dogs." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:02Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/rogersdogs/502217727_LyYev-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:06:35Heather Siirtola's dogs<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Heather Siirtola's dogs</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502219972_CFoTn" title="Heather Siirtola's dogs"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Siirtoladogs/502219972_CFoTn-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Heather Siirtola's dogs" title="Heather Siirtola's dogs" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Siirtoladogs/502219972_CFoTn-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:13:37Timothy Hunt<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Timothy Hunt</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506368777_A44V7" title="Timothy Hunt"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6948/506368777_A44V7-Th.jpg" width="150" height="92" alt="Timothy Hunt" title="Timothy Hunt" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:06:18Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG6948/506368777_A44V7-Th.jpg2009-03-07 12:15:48Bill Cotter and frog.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Bill Cotter and frog.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502199962_EmBMf" title="Bill Cotter and frog."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Cutter/502199962_EmBMf-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Bill Cotter and frog." title="Bill Cotter and frog." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Cutter/502199962_EmBMf-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:17:37Harry Alexie and rider<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Harry Alexie and rider</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502195038_kht6Q" title="Harry Alexie and rider"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Alexie/502195038_kht6Q-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="105" alt="Harry Alexie and rider" title="Harry Alexie and rider" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Alexie/502195038_kht6Q-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:22:52Jeff Holt, the final musher<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Jeff Holt, the final musher</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502205335_MWSKa" title="Jeff Holt, the final musher"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/holt/502205335_MWSKa-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="103" alt="Jeff Holt, the final musher" title="Jeff Holt, the final musher" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/holt/502205335_MWSKa-Th-1.jpg2009-03-07 12:24:49The next day, everybody moves to Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage, for the actual start of the 1,000-mile race. The teams set up in numerical order on the edge of the frozen Willow ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />The next day, everybody moves to Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage, for the actual start of the 1,000-mile race. The teams set up in numerical order on the edge of the frozen Willow ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502201966_Z8Q8c" title="The next day, everybody moves to Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage, for the actual start of the 1,000-mile race. The teams set up in numerical order on the edge of the frozen Willow ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gathering1/502201966_Z8Q8c-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="97" alt="The next day, everybody moves to Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage, for the actual start of the 1,000-mile race. The teams set up in numerical order on the edge of the frozen Willow ..." title="The next day, everybody moves to Willow, about 70 miles north of Anchorage, for the actual start of the 1,000-mile race. The teams set up in numerical order on the edge of the frozen Willow ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gathering1/502201966_Z8Q8c-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 11:08:41northernvisions' photo<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a> </p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502202316_khod7" title="northernvisions' photo"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gatherin2/502202316_khod7-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="103" alt="northernvisions' photo" title="northernvisions' photo" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:03Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gatherin2/502202316_khod7-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 11:09:00A carnival atmosphere prevails.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />A carnival atmosphere prevails.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502223601_ctuyD" title="A carnival atmosphere prevails."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/UncleSam/502223601_ctuyD-Th-1.jpg" width="92" height="150" alt="A carnival atmosphere prevails." title="A carnival atmosphere prevails." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/UncleSam/502223601_ctuyD-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 11:14:48Fans are assembling along the fenced-off chute that leads across the lake.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Fans are assembling along the fenced-off chute that leads across the lake.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502222503_xNfCJ" title="Fans are assembling along the fenced-off chute that leads across the lake."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/startgate/502222503_xNfCJ-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Fans are assembling along the fenced-off chute that leads across the lake." title="Fans are assembling along the fenced-off chute that leads across the lake." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/startgate/502222503_xNfCJ-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 11:15:43A photo op<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />A photo op</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502212041_kdM8x" title="A photo op"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Mascot/502212041_kdM8x-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="109" alt="A photo op" title="A photo op" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Mascot/502212041_kdM8x-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 12:35:52Aaron Peck, 29, from Alberta, Canada, is a rancher in the summer and works as a dog sled guide in the winter. His best finish in two previous Iditarods was 45th in 2005.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Aaron Peck, 29, from Alberta, Canada, is a rancher in the summer and works as a dog sled guide in the winter. His best finish in two previous Iditarods was 45th in 2005.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502215986_CDtve" title="Aaron Peck, 29, from Alberta, Canada, is a rancher in the summer and works as a dog sled guide in the winter. His best finish in two previous Iditarods was 45th in 2005."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/peck/502215986_CDtve-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="103" alt="Aaron Peck, 29, from Alberta, Canada, is a rancher in the summer and works as a dog sled guide in the winter. His best finish in two previous Iditarods was 45th in 2005." title="Aaron Peck, 29, from Alberta, Canada, is a rancher in the summer and works as a dog sled guide in the winter. His best finish in two previous Iditarods was 45th in 2005." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/peck/502215986_CDtve-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 12:58:32This year Aaron made the decision to drop out of the race in Elim about 100 miles out of Nome. The trail was very tough this year, and Aaron was one of 15 mushers who decided to scratch r ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />This year Aaron made the decision to drop out of the race in Elim about 100 miles out of Nome. The trail was very tough this year, and Aaron was one of 15 mushers who decided to scratch r ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502216012_ukL9Z" title="This year Aaron made the decision to drop out of the race in Elim about 100 miles out of Nome. The trail was very tough this year, and Aaron was one of 15 mushers who decided to scratch r ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/peck2/502216012_ukL9Z-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="108" alt="This year Aaron made the decision to drop out of the race in Elim about 100 miles out of Nome. The trail was very tough this year, and Aaron was one of 15 mushers who decided to scratch r ..." title="This year Aaron made the decision to drop out of the race in Elim about 100 miles out of Nome. The trail was very tough this year, and Aaron was one of 15 mushers who decided to scratch r ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/peck2/502216012_ukL9Z-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 12:58:34Rookie Nancy Yoshida from North Dakota, who worked as an occupational therapist for 18 years and has been mushing since 2002, also was forced to drop out of the race in Rainy Pass after she ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Rookie Nancy Yoshida from North Dakota, who worked as an occupational therapist for 18 years and has been mushing since 2002, also was forced to drop out of the race in Rainy Pass after she ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502224757_p365n" title="Rookie Nancy Yoshida from North Dakota, who worked as an occupational therapist for 18 years and has been mushing since 2002, also was forced to drop out of the race in Rainy Pass after she ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Yoshida/502224757_p365n-Th-1.jpg" width="106" height="150" alt="Rookie Nancy Yoshida from North Dakota, who worked as an occupational therapist for 18 years and has been mushing since 2002, also was forced to drop out of the race in Rainy Pass after she ..." title="Rookie Nancy Yoshida from North Dakota, who worked as an occupational therapist for 18 years and has been mushing since 2002, also was forced to drop out of the race in Rainy Pass after she ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Yoshida/502224757_p365n-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:00:38Ed Iten, a true off the road system musher, and team from Kotzebue.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ed Iten, a true off the road system musher, and team from Kotzebue.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502208185_evB7c" title="Ed Iten, a true off the road system musher, and team from Kotzebue."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Itensdogs/502208185_evB7c-Th-1.jpg" width="104" height="150" alt="Ed Iten, a true off the road system musher, and team from Kotzebue." title="Ed Iten, a true off the road system musher, and team from Kotzebue." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:04Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Itensdogs/502208185_evB7c-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:02:35This is Iten's 11th Iditarod. He had six top-10 finishes in the past seven races, including second in 2005. In 2007 he received the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, an honor bestowed b ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />This is Iten's 11th Iditarod. He had six top-10 finishes in the past seven races, including second in 2005. In 2007 he received the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, an honor bestowed b ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502208146_hrJEA" title="This is Iten's 11th Iditarod. He had six top-10 finishes in the past seven races, including second in 2005. In 2007 he received the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, an honor bestowed b ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iten/502208146_hrJEA-Th-1.jpg" width="106" height="150" alt="This is Iten's 11th Iditarod. He had six top-10 finishes in the past seven races, including second in 2005. In 2007 he received the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, an honor bestowed b ..." title="This is Iten's 11th Iditarod. He had six top-10 finishes in the past seven races, including second in 2005. In 2007 he received the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, an honor bestowed b ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:05Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Iten/502208146_hrJEA-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:02:43Rick Larson of Montana in his fourth Iditarod. He is an equipment operator who started his kennel in 2000. His best previous finish was 44th last year.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Rick Larson of Montana in his fourth Iditarod. He is an equipment operator who started his kennel in 2000. His best previous finish was 44th last year.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502210427_DZu8w" title="Rick Larson of Montana in his fourth Iditarod. He is an equipment operator who started his kennel in 2000. His best previous finish was 44th last year."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Larson/502210427_DZu8w-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="97" alt="Rick Larson of Montana in his fourth Iditarod. He is an equipment operator who started his kennel in 2000. His best previous finish was 44th last year." title="Rick Larson of Montana in his fourth Iditarod. He is an equipment operator who started his kennel in 2000. His best previous finish was 44th last year." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:05Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Larson/502210427_DZu8w-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:04:45Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing about 15 years ago, and has competed in many sprint and mid-distance races around the state. He ran his first Iditarod in in 2007, finishing ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing about 15 years ago, and has competed in many sprint and mid-distance races around the state. He ran his first Iditarod in in 2007, finishing ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502213166_mdBj2" title="Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing about 15 years ago, and has competed in many sprint and mid-distance races around the state. He ran his first Iditarod in in 2007, finishing ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Moore/502213166_mdBj2-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="97" alt="Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing about 15 years ago, and has competed in many sprint and mid-distance races around the state. He ran his first Iditarod in in 2007, finishing ..." title="Allen Moore of Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing about 15 years ago, and has competed in many sprint and mid-distance races around the state. He ran his first Iditarod in in 2007, finishing ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:08Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Moore/502213166_mdBj2-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:06:40Moore's enthusiastic team.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Moore's enthusiastic team.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502213160_b8q4R" title="Moore's enthusiastic team."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Mooresdogs/502213160_b8q4R-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="85" alt="Moore's enthusiastic team." title="Moore's enthusiastic team." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:08Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Mooresdogs/502213160_b8q4R-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:06:45During the summer, Moore works as a contractor and carpenter, and in the winter he trains sled dogs full time.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />During the summer, Moore works as a contractor and carpenter, and in the winter he trains sled dogs full time.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502212810_HLJXr" title="During the summer, Moore works as a contractor and carpenter, and in the winter he trains sled dogs full time."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Moore6/502212810_HLJXr-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="During the summer, Moore works as a contractor and carpenter, and in the winter he trains sled dogs full time." title="During the summer, Moore works as a contractor and carpenter, and in the winter he trains sled dogs full time." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Moore6/502212810_HLJXr-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:06:49Warren Palfrey, 33, began running dogs when he was 11 years old in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He now lives in the Northwest Territories, where his kennel is home to 55 Alaskan h ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Warren Palfrey, 33, began running dogs when he was 11 years old in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He now lives in the Northwest Territories, where his kennel is home to 55 Alaskan h ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502215664_gLZPR" title="Warren Palfrey, 33, began running dogs when he was 11 years old in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He now lives in the Northwest Territories, where his kennel is home to 55 Alaskan h ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Palfrey/502215664_gLZPR-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="101" alt="Warren Palfrey, 33, began running dogs when he was 11 years old in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He now lives in the Northwest Territories, where his kennel is home to 55 Alaskan h ..." title="Warren Palfrey, 33, began running dogs when he was 11 years old in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He now lives in the Northwest Territories, where his kennel is home to 55 Alaskan h ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Palfrey/502215664_gLZPR-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:08:53This is the team of the only five-time Iditarod champion, Rick Swenson.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />This is the team of the only five-time Iditarod champion, Rick Swenson.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502223718_8SKfN" title="This is the team of the only five-time Iditarod champion, Rick Swenson."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/swensonsdogs/502223718_8SKfN-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="89" alt="This is the team of the only five-time Iditarod champion, Rick Swenson." title="This is the team of the only five-time Iditarod champion, Rick Swenson." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/swensonsdogs/502223718_8SKfN-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:10:36Rick is the winningest musher in history, having won in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1991. In 1978 he lost by one second to Lance Mackey's father, Dick Mackey.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Rick is the winningest musher in history, having won in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1991. In 1978 he lost by one second to Lance Mackey's father, Dick Mackey.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502223238_iaWsH" title="Rick is the winningest musher in history, having won in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1991. In 1978 he lost by one second to Lance Mackey's father, Dick Mackey."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Swensonsdogs2/502223238_iaWsH-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="98" alt="Rick is the winningest musher in history, having won in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1991. In 1978 he lost by one second to Lance Mackey's father, Dick Mackey." title="Rick is the winningest musher in history, having won in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1991. In 1978 he lost by one second to Lance Mackey's father, Dick Mackey." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Swensonsdogs2/502223238_iaWsH-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:10:37Rick has been mushing since 1973.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Rick has been mushing since 1973.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502222538_gdFRT" title="Rick has been mushing since 1973."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Swenson/502222538_gdFRT-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Rick has been mushing since 1973." title="Rick has been mushing since 1973." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Swenson/502222538_gdFRT-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:10:42The very beautiful dogs of Blake Matray.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />The very beautiful dogs of Blake Matray.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502212233_vPCGk" title="The very beautiful dogs of Blake Matray."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Matraysdogs/502212233_vPCGk-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="103" alt="The very beautiful dogs of Blake Matray." title="The very beautiful dogs of Blake Matray." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Matraysdogs/502212233_vPCGk-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:12:24Matray was born and raised in Illinois, and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is presently a pilot with the National Guard. He started mushing dogs in North Dakota in 1995. ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Matray was born and raised in Illinois, and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is presently a pilot with the National Guard. He started mushing dogs in North Dakota in 1995. ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502212259_vhrQc" title="Matray was born and raised in Illinois, and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is presently a pilot with the National Guard. He started mushing dogs in North Dakota in 1995. ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Matray/502212259_vhrQc-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Matray was born and raised in Illinois, and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is presently a pilot with the National Guard. He started mushing dogs in North Dakota in 1995. ..." title="Matray was born and raised in Illinois, and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and is presently a pilot with the National Guard. He started mushing dogs in North Dakota in 1995. ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:09Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Matray/502212259_vhrQc-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:12:29Ray Redington, Jr., from Wasilla. His best finish in his previous seven Iditarods was 14th in 2002.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ray Redington, Jr., from Wasilla. His best finish in his previous seven Iditarods was 14th in 2002.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502216624_NsHv9" title="Ray Redington, Jr., from Wasilla. His best finish in his previous seven Iditarods was 14th in 2002."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/rayredington/502216624_NsHv9-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="104" alt="Ray Redington, Jr., from Wasilla. His best finish in his previous seven Iditarods was 14th in 2002." title="Ray Redington, Jr., from Wasilla. His best finish in his previous seven Iditarods was 14th in 2002." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:07:28Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/rayredington/502216624_NsHv9-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:14:37Ray is the grandson of Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington and the son of veteran racer Raymie Redington.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ray is the grandson of Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington and the son of veteran racer Raymie Redington.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506368621_g5FJb" title="Ray is the grandson of Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington and the son of veteran racer Raymie Redington."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG7056/506368621_g5FJb-Th.jpg" width="150" height="99" alt="Ray is the grandson of Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington and the son of veteran racer Raymie Redington." title="Ray is the grandson of Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington and the son of veteran racer Raymie Redington." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:07:56Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG7056/506368621_g5FJb-Th.jpg2009-03-08 13:14:39Michael Suprenant from Chugiak came to Alaska with the Air Force in 1997 as an avionics technician, and after his time of service was over, he stayed to pursue his Iditarod dream. He has a ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Michael Suprenant from Chugiak came to Alaska with the Air Force in 1997 as an avionics technician, and after his time of service was over, he stayed to pursue his Iditarod dream. He has a ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502222339_wZfEz" title="Michael Suprenant from Chugiak came to Alaska with the Air Force in 1997 as an avionics technician, and after his time of service was over, he stayed to pursue his Iditarod dream. He has a ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Suprenant/502222339_wZfEz-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="92" alt="Michael Suprenant from Chugiak came to Alaska with the Air Force in 1997 as an avionics technician, and after his time of service was over, he stayed to pursue his Iditarod dream. He has a ..." title="Michael Suprenant from Chugiak came to Alaska with the Air Force in 1997 as an avionics technician, and after his time of service was over, he stayed to pursue his Iditarod dream. He has a ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:10Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Suprenant/502222339_wZfEz-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:16:33Jake Berkowitz from Anchorage began mushing in 2005 when he went to work for Ed Stielstra, another competitor in this year's race. Last year he ran one of Stielstra's B teams and came in 65 ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Jake Berkowitz from Anchorage began mushing in 2005 when he went to work for Ed Stielstra, another competitor in this year's race. Last year he ran one of Stielstra's B teams and came in 65 ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502196087_3fTDz" title="Jake Berkowitz from Anchorage began mushing in 2005 when he went to work for Ed Stielstra, another competitor in this year's race. Last year he ran one of Stielstra's B teams and came in 65 ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Berkowitzjpg/502196087_3fTDz-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Jake Berkowitz from Anchorage began mushing in 2005 when he went to work for Ed Stielstra, another competitor in this year's race. Last year he ran one of Stielstra's B teams and came in 65 ..." title="Jake Berkowitz from Anchorage began mushing in 2005 when he went to work for Ed Stielstra, another competitor in this year's race. Last year he ran one of Stielstra's B teams and came in 65 ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:10Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Berkowitzjpg/502196087_3fTDz-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:18:59Ryan Redington from Wasilla, another grandson of Joe Redington.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ryan Redington from Wasilla, another grandson of Joe Redington.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502218656_YWZtZ" title="Ryan Redington from Wasilla, another grandson of Joe Redington."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/RyanRedington/502218656_YWZtZ-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="92" alt="Ryan Redington from Wasilla, another grandson of Joe Redington." title="Ryan Redington from Wasilla, another grandson of Joe Redington." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:10Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/RyanRedington/502218656_YWZtZ-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:20:45Ryan has completed three Iditarods, with his best finish being 18th in 2007. Ryan grew up watching his father and grandfather race in 33 combined Iditarods, and has been mushing since he co ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ryan has completed three Iditarods, with his best finish being 18th in 2007. Ryan grew up watching his father and grandfather race in 33 combined Iditarods, and has been mushing since he co ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502218536_fyDYe" title="Ryan has completed three Iditarods, with his best finish being 18th in 2007. Ryan grew up watching his father and grandfather race in 33 combined Iditarods, and has been mushing since he co ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/ryan/502218536_fyDYe-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="105" alt="Ryan has completed three Iditarods, with his best finish being 18th in 2007. Ryan grew up watching his father and grandfather race in 33 combined Iditarods, and has been mushing since he co ..." title="Ryan has completed three Iditarods, with his best finish being 18th in 2007. Ryan grew up watching his father and grandfather race in 33 combined Iditarods, and has been mushing since he co ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:10Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/ryan/502218536_fyDYe-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:20:53Gerry Willomitzer's team<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Gerry Willomitzer's team</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502224158_ett7Q" title="Gerry Willomitzer's team"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Willomitzersdogs/502224158_ett7Q-Th-1.jpg" width="107" height="150" alt="Gerry Willomitzer's team" title="Gerry Willomitzer's team" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:10Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Willomitzersdogs/502224158_ett7Q-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:22:45Willowmitzer was born in Bavaria and immigrated to Canada in 1996. He is a four-time Yukon Quest 1,000-mile race finisher, and in 2007 completed both the Yukon Quest, coming in third, and t ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Willowmitzer was born in Bavaria and immigrated to Canada in 1996. He is a four-time Yukon Quest 1,000-mile race finisher, and in 2007 completed both the Yukon Quest, coming in third, and t ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502224167_dr6Gi" title="Willowmitzer was born in Bavaria and immigrated to Canada in 1996. He is a four-time Yukon Quest 1,000-mile race finisher, and in 2007 completed both the Yukon Quest, coming in third, and t ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Willomitzer/502224167_dr6Gi-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="108" alt="Willowmitzer was born in Bavaria and immigrated to Canada in 1996. He is a four-time Yukon Quest 1,000-mile race finisher, and in 2007 completed both the Yukon Quest, coming in third, and t ..." title="Willowmitzer was born in Bavaria and immigrated to Canada in 1996. He is a four-time Yukon Quest 1,000-mile race finisher, and in 2007 completed both the Yukon Quest, coming in third, and t ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:10Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Willomitzer/502224167_dr6Gi-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:22:48Here is veteran musher, Paul Gebhardt, and team running his 13th Iditarod. He came in second in 2000 and 2007.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Here is veteran musher, Paul Gebhardt, and team running his 13th Iditarod. He came in second in 2000 and 2007.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502203105_2N7fh" title="Here is veteran musher, Paul Gebhardt, and team running his 13th Iditarod. He came in second in 2000 and 2007."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gebhardtdogs/502203105_2N7fh-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Here is veteran musher, Paul Gebhardt, and team running his 13th Iditarod. He came in second in 2000 and 2007." title="Here is veteran musher, Paul Gebhardt, and team running his 13th Iditarod. He came in second in 2000 and 2007." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gebhardtdogs/502203105_2N7fh-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:24:34Paul Gebhardt is a general contractor specializing in custom homes, and with his wife operates a lodge on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer. He has won the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Awa ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Paul Gebhardt is a general contractor specializing in custom homes, and with his wife operates a lodge on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer. He has won the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Awa ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502202399_Pk6QS" title="Paul Gebhardt is a general contractor specializing in custom homes, and with his wife operates a lodge on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer. He has won the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Awa ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gebhardt/502202399_Pk6QS-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="105" alt="Paul Gebhardt is a general contractor specializing in custom homes, and with his wife operates a lodge on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer. He has won the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Awa ..." title="Paul Gebhardt is a general contractor specializing in custom homes, and with his wife operates a lodge on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer. He has won the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Awa ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gebhardt/502202399_Pk6QS-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:24:42Ramey Smyth from Willow. His best finish in 14 Iditarods was third last year. He has been mushing since he was a young child.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ramey Smyth from Willow. His best finish in 14 Iditarods was third last year. He has been mushing since he was a young child.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502217004_wsS9F" title="Ramey Smyth from Willow. His best finish in 14 Iditarods was third last year. He has been mushing since he was a young child."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Rameysmyth/502217004_wsS9F-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="98" alt="Ramey Smyth from Willow. His best finish in 14 Iditarods was third last year. He has been mushing since he was a young child." title="Ramey Smyth from Willow. His best finish in 14 Iditarods was third last year. He has been mushing since he was a young child." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:08:35Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Rameysmyth/502217004_wsS9F-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:26:50Ramey ran his first Iditarod in 1994 and has only missed one year since.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Ramey ran his first Iditarod in 1994 and has only missed one year since.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506367254_Vf5gH" title="Ramey ran his first Iditarod in 1994 and has only missed one year since."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG7129/506367254_Vf5gH-Th.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Ramey ran his first Iditarod in 1994 and has only missed one year since." title="Ramey ran his first Iditarod in 1994 and has only missed one year since." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:09:05Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG7129/506367254_Vf5gH-Th.jpg2009-03-08 13:26:59Jessie Royer's team<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Jessie Royer's team</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502218305_NeWGN" title="Jessie Royer's team"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Royerdogs/502218305_NeWGN-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="85" alt="Jessie Royer's team" title="Jessie Royer's team" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Royerdogs/502218305_NeWGN-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:28:45Jessie, 32, grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and got her first sled dogs when she was 15. She worked with four-time champion Doug Swingley for a couple of years and moved to Alaska in 1 ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Jessie, 32, grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and got her first sled dogs when she was 15. She worked with four-time champion Doug Swingley for a couple of years and moved to Alaska in 1 ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502218106_GgMby" title="Jessie, 32, grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and got her first sled dogs when she was 15. She worked with four-time champion Doug Swingley for a couple of years and moved to Alaska in 1 ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Royer/502218106_GgMby-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Jessie, 32, grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and got her first sled dogs when she was 15. She worked with four-time champion Doug Swingley for a couple of years and moved to Alaska in 1 ..." title="Jessie, 32, grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and got her first sled dogs when she was 15. She worked with four-time champion Doug Swingley for a couple of years and moved to Alaska in 1 ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Royer/502218106_GgMby-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:28:51Bjornar Andersen of Norway has run the Iditarod twice finishing in the top six both times. His fourth-place finish in 2002 was the best rookie finish since 1976.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Bjornar Andersen of Norway has run the Iditarod twice finishing in the top six both times. His fourth-place finish in 2002 was the best rookie finish since 1976.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502195885_LUTth" title="Bjornar Andersen of Norway has run the Iditarod twice finishing in the top six both times. His fourth-place finish in 2002 was the best rookie finish since 1976."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Andersensdogs/502195885_LUTth-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Bjornar Andersen of Norway has run the Iditarod twice finishing in the top six both times. His fourth-place finish in 2002 was the best rookie finish since 1976." title="Bjornar Andersen of Norway has run the Iditarod twice finishing in the top six both times. His fourth-place finish in 2002 was the best rookie finish since 1976." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:09:34Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Andersensdogs/502195885_LUTth-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:30:32Unfortunately this year Bjornar crashed outside of the Rohn checkpoint and suffered significant internal injuries forcing him to scratch. His story is here: http://www.adn.com/mushing/stor ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Unfortunately this year Bjornar crashed outside of the Rohn checkpoint and suffered significant internal injuries forcing him to scratch. His story is here: http://www.adn.com/mushing/stor ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#506367247_k2tRb" title="Unfortunately this year Bjornar crashed outside of the Rohn checkpoint and suffered significant internal injuries forcing him to scratch. His story is here: http://www.adn.com/mushing/stor ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG7164/506367247_k2tRb-Th.jpg" width="150" height="102" alt="Unfortunately this year Bjornar crashed outside of the Rohn checkpoint and suffered significant internal injuries forcing him to scratch. His story is here: http://www.adn.com/mushing/stor ..." title="Unfortunately this year Bjornar crashed outside of the Rohn checkpoint and suffered significant internal injuries forcing him to scratch. His story is here: http://www.adn.com/mushing/stor ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:09:56Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/IMG7164/506367247_k2tRb-Th.jpg2009-03-08 13:30:42The team of Matt Hayashida of Willow<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />The team of Matt Hayashida of Willow</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502204409_Cfycj" title="The team of Matt Hayashida of Willow"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hayashidasdogs/502204409_Cfycj-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The team of Matt Hayashida of Willow" title="The team of Matt Hayashida of Willow" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hayashidasdogs/502204409_Cfycj-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:32:45Matt, 34, came to Alaska in 1993 to work with Martin Buser. His best finish in five previous Iditarods was 28th last year.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Matt, 34, came to Alaska in 1993 to work with Martin Buser. His best finish in five previous Iditarods was 28th last year.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502203455_LCbUP" title="Matt, 34, came to Alaska in 1993 to work with Martin Buser. His best finish in five previous Iditarods was 28th last year."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hayashida/502203455_LCbUP-Th-1.jpg" width="96" height="150" alt="Matt, 34, came to Alaska in 1993 to work with Martin Buser. His best finish in five previous Iditarods was 28th last year." title="Matt, 34, came to Alaska in 1993 to work with Martin Buser. His best finish in five previous Iditarods was 28th last year." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hayashida/502203455_LCbUP-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:32:51Trent Herbst from Idaho. His best finish in his previous two Iditarods was 65th in 2008.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Trent Herbst from Idaho. His best finish in his previous two Iditarods was 65th in 2008.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502204545_ote9L" title="Trent Herbst from Idaho. His best finish in his previous two Iditarods was 65th in 2008."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Herbstdogs/502204545_ote9L-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="93" alt="Trent Herbst from Idaho. His best finish in his previous two Iditarods was 65th in 2008." title="Trent Herbst from Idaho. His best finish in his previous two Iditarods was 65th in 2008." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Herbstdogs/502204545_ote9L-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:34:28Trent is a teacher and has taught in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. He runs in support of the National Lake Rescue Institute in Uganda, which supports educational ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Trent is a teacher and has taught in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. He runs in support of the National Lake Rescue Institute in Uganda, which supports educational ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502204232_mYYM2" title="Trent is a teacher and has taught in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. He runs in support of the National Lake Rescue Institute in Uganda, which supports educational ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/herbst/502204232_mYYM2-Th-1.jpg" width="97" height="150" alt="Trent is a teacher and has taught in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. He runs in support of the National Lake Rescue Institute in Uganda, which supports educational ..." title="Trent is a teacher and has taught in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, and Switzerland. He runs in support of the National Lake Rescue Institute in Uganda, which supports educational ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/herbst/502204232_mYYM2-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:34:33This is Mitch Seavey and his team.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />This is Mitch Seavey and his team.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502213602_VaqZT" title="This is Mitch Seavey and his team."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/MSeaveysdogs/502213602_VaqZT-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="96" alt="This is Mitch Seavey and his team." title="This is Mitch Seavey and his team." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/MSeaveysdogs/502213602_VaqZT-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:36:38Mitch Seavey has been mushing since he was a child. He has run the Iditarod 15 times and was champion in 2004. This year his son Dallas and daughter-in-law Jen are also in the race.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Mitch Seavey has been mushing since he was a child. He has run the Iditarod 15 times and was champion in 2004. This year his son Dallas and daughter-in-law Jen are also in the race.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502213122_UC2YW" title="Mitch Seavey has been mushing since he was a child. He has run the Iditarod 15 times and was champion in 2004. This year his son Dallas and daughter-in-law Jen are also in the race."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/MSeavey/502213122_UC2YW-Th-1.jpg" width="105" height="150" alt="Mitch Seavey has been mushing since he was a child. He has run the Iditarod 15 times and was champion in 2004. This year his son Dallas and daughter-in-law Jen are also in the race." title="Mitch Seavey has been mushing since he was a child. He has run the Iditarod 15 times and was champion in 2004. This year his son Dallas and daughter-in-law Jen are also in the race." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/MSeavey/502213122_UC2YW-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:36:45Judy Currier, a 46-year-old accountant from Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing with her husband in New Hampshire in 1992. They moved to Alaska in 1995 where they live "near the end of the ro ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Judy Currier, a 46-year-old accountant from Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing with her husband in New Hampshire in 1992. They moved to Alaska in 1995 where they live "near the end of the ro ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502199515_yjqk4" title="Judy Currier, a 46-year-old accountant from Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing with her husband in New Hampshire in 1992. They moved to Alaska in 1995 where they live "near the end of the ro ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Courier/502199515_yjqk4-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="116" alt="Judy Currier, a 46-year-old accountant from Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing with her husband in New Hampshire in 1992. They moved to Alaska in 1995 where they live "near the end of the ro ..." title="Judy Currier, a 46-year-old accountant from Two Rivers, Alaska, began mushing with her husband in New Hampshire in 1992. They moved to Alaska in 1995 where they live "near the end of the ro ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Courier/502199515_yjqk4-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:38:36Some of Robert Nelson's team<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Some of Robert Nelson's team</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502214329_Lpzx5" title="Some of Robert Nelson's team"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/nelsonsdogs/502214329_Lpzx5-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="70" alt="Some of Robert Nelson's team" title="Some of Robert Nelson's team" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/nelsonsdogs/502214329_Lpzx5-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:40:36Robert, 40, was born and raised in Kotzebue. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Economics and Political Science. He became interested in mushing while ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Robert, 40, was born and raised in Kotzebue. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Economics and Political Science. He became interested in mushing while ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502214072_88SpD" title="Robert, 40, was born and raised in Kotzebue. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Economics and Political Science. He became interested in mushing while ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/nelson/502214072_88SpD-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Robert, 40, was born and raised in Kotzebue. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Economics and Political Science. He became interested in mushing while ..." title="Robert, 40, was born and raised in Kotzebue. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Economics and Political Science. He became interested in mushing while ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:11Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/nelson/502214072_88SpD-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:40:43Aliy Zirkle from Two Rivers. Her best finish in eight previous Iditarods was 11th in 2005.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Aliy Zirkle from Two Rivers. Her best finish in eight previous Iditarods was 11th in 2005.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502224873_SUNhf" title="Aliy Zirkle from Two Rivers. Her best finish in eight previous Iditarods was 11th in 2005."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/zirkleteam/502224873_SUNhf-Th-1.jpg" width="104" height="150" alt="Aliy Zirkle from Two Rivers. Her best finish in eight previous Iditarods was 11th in 2005." title="Aliy Zirkle from Two Rivers. Her best finish in eight previous Iditarods was 11th in 2005." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:12Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/zirkleteam/502224873_SUNhf-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:42:37Aliy came to Alaska to volunteer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1990. She ran and won the Yukon Quest and is now doing the Iditarod. For the last eight years she has been a carpe ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Aliy came to Alaska to volunteer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1990. She ran and won the Yukon Quest and is now doing the Iditarod. For the last eight years she has been a carpe ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502224442_cfrwH" title="Aliy came to Alaska to volunteer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1990. She ran and won the Yukon Quest and is now doing the Iditarod. For the last eight years she has been a carpe ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/zirkle/502224442_cfrwH-Th-1.jpg" width="101" height="150" alt="Aliy came to Alaska to volunteer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1990. She ran and won the Yukon Quest and is now doing the Iditarod. For the last eight years she has been a carpe ..." title="Aliy came to Alaska to volunteer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in 1990. She ran and won the Yukon Quest and is now doing the Iditarod. For the last eight years she has been a carpe ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:12Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/zirkle/502224442_cfrwH-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:42:54Hans Gatt from Whitehorse, Yukon. His best finish in his nine previous Iditarods was sixth last year.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Hans Gatt from Whitehorse, Yukon. His best finish in his nine previous Iditarods was sixth last year.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502202517_cY7PC" title="Hans Gatt from Whitehorse, Yukon. His best finish in his nine previous Iditarods was sixth last year."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gatteam/502202517_cY7PC-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="95" alt="Hans Gatt from Whitehorse, Yukon. His best finish in his nine previous Iditarods was sixth last year." title="Hans Gatt from Whitehorse, Yukon. His best finish in his nine previous Iditarods was sixth last year." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:12Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/gatteam/502202517_cY7PC-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:44:32Hans grew up on a farm in Austria and as an adult bred award-winning cows. He raced motocross in Europe until he attended a sled dog race that ignited his passion for running dogs. He has ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Hans grew up on a farm in Austria and as an adult bred award-winning cows. He raced motocross in Europe until he attended a sled dog race that ignited his passion for running dogs. He has ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502201805_ULXhf" title="Hans grew up on a farm in Austria and as an adult bred award-winning cows. He raced motocross in Europe until he attended a sled dog race that ignited his passion for running dogs. He has ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Gatt/502201805_ULXhf-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="101" alt="Hans grew up on a farm in Austria and as an adult bred award-winning cows. He raced motocross in Europe until he attended a sled dog race that ignited his passion for running dogs. He has ..." title="Hans grew up on a farm in Austria and as an adult bred award-winning cows. He raced motocross in Europe until he attended a sled dog race that ignited his passion for running dogs. He has ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:12Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Gatt/502201805_ULXhf-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:44:49Chad Lindner, 30, of Brookline, Massachusetts, son of veteran musher Sonny Lindner. Chad was born in Fairbanks. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where he was edit ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Chad Lindner, 30, of Brookline, Massachusetts, son of veteran musher Sonny Lindner. Chad was born in Fairbanks. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where he was edit ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502198631_bZm5W" title="Chad Lindner, 30, of Brookline, Massachusetts, son of veteran musher Sonny Lindner. Chad was born in Fairbanks. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where he was edit ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/CLinderteam/502198631_bZm5W-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="104" alt="Chad Lindner, 30, of Brookline, Massachusetts, son of veteran musher Sonny Lindner. Chad was born in Fairbanks. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where he was edit ..." title="Chad Lindner, 30, of Brookline, Massachusetts, son of veteran musher Sonny Lindner. Chad was born in Fairbanks. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, where he was edit ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:12Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/CLinderteam/502198631_bZm5W-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:46:41Chad began mushing as a child and has returned to Alaska this year to run the Iditarod with his father. After the race he will be returning to Boston to begin his legal career.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Chad began mushing as a child and has returned to Alaska this year to run the Iditarod with his father. After the race he will be returning to Boston to begin his legal career.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502198159_ehM2d" title="Chad began mushing as a child and has returned to Alaska this year to run the Iditarod with his father. After the race he will be returning to Boston to begin his legal career."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/CLinder/502198159_ehM2d-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Chad began mushing as a child and has returned to Alaska this year to run the Iditarod with his father. After the race he will be returning to Boston to begin his legal career." title="Chad began mushing as a child and has returned to Alaska this year to run the Iditarod with his father. After the race he will be returning to Boston to begin his legal career." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/CLinder/502198159_ehM2d-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:46:46Cheering for Team Norway<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Cheering for Team Norway</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502200790_vM3Dn" title="Cheering for Team Norway"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/flags/502200790_vM3Dn-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="97" alt="Cheering for Team Norway" title="Cheering for Team Norway" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/flags/502200790_vM3Dn-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:47:58Tom Thurston, 38, of Oak Creek, Colorado, in his rookie race.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Tom Thurston, 38, of Oak Creek, Colorado, in his rookie race.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502223197_QgYZN" title="Tom Thurston, 38, of Oak Creek, Colorado, in his rookie race."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Thorston/502223197_QgYZN-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="92" alt="Tom Thurston, 38, of Oak Creek, Colorado, in his rookie race." title="Tom Thurston, 38, of Oak Creek, Colorado, in his rookie race." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Thorston/502223197_QgYZN-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:48:43Tom began mushing in 2000 as a way to spend more time in the back country in the wintertime. Five years ago he set the goal of running the Iditarod in 2009. He won two mid-distance races i ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Tom began mushing in 2000 as a way to spend more time in the back country in the wintertime. Five years ago he set the goal of running the Iditarod in 2009. He won two mid-distance races i ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502223387_xF5t9" title="Tom began mushing in 2000 as a way to spend more time in the back country in the wintertime. Five years ago he set the goal of running the Iditarod in 2009. He won two mid-distance races i ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Thurston/502223387_xF5t9-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Tom began mushing in 2000 as a way to spend more time in the back country in the wintertime. Five years ago he set the goal of running the Iditarod in 2009. He won two mid-distance races i ..." title="Tom began mushing in 2000 as a way to spend more time in the back country in the wintertime. Five years ago he set the goal of running the Iditarod in 2009. He won two mid-distance races i ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Thurston/502223387_xF5t9-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:48:56Linwood Fiedler's dogs<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Linwood Fiedler's dogs</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502201158_Sk9Ue" title="Linwood Fiedler's dogs"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Fiedlersdogs/502201158_Sk9Ue-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="64" alt="Linwood Fiedler's dogs" title="Linwood Fiedler's dogs" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Fiedlersdogs/502201158_Sk9Ue-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:50:43Fiedler, 55, was born in Vermont and has an MSW from the University of Montana. He began mushing in 1980 and came to Alaska in 1990 to run the Iditarod. He has completed the race 16 times, ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Fiedler, 55, was born in Vermont and has an MSW from the University of Montana. He began mushing in 1980 and came to Alaska in 1990 to run the Iditarod. He has completed the race 16 times, ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502200625_Gxu3N" title="Fiedler, 55, was born in Vermont and has an MSW from the University of Montana. He began mushing in 1980 and came to Alaska in 1990 to run the Iditarod. He has completed the race 16 times, ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Fiedler/502200625_Gxu3N-Th-1.jpg" width="105" height="150" alt="Fiedler, 55, was born in Vermont and has an MSW from the University of Montana. He began mushing in 1980 and came to Alaska in 1990 to run the Iditarod. He has completed the race 16 times, ..." title="Fiedler, 55, was born in Vermont and has an MSW from the University of Montana. He began mushing in 1980 and came to Alaska in 1990 to run the Iditarod. He has completed the race 16 times, ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Fiedler/502200625_Gxu3N-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:50:51Karin Hendrickson, 38, running in her first Iditarod. She was born and raised in California and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991. She works in environmental regulation in ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Karin Hendrickson, 38, running in her first Iditarod. She was born and raised in California and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991. She works in environmental regulation in ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502203897_hWsid" title="Karin Hendrickson, 38, running in her first Iditarod. She was born and raised in California and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991. She works in environmental regulation in ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hendrickson/502203897_hWsid-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="104" alt="Karin Hendrickson, 38, running in her first Iditarod. She was born and raised in California and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991. She works in environmental regulation in ..." title="Karin Hendrickson, 38, running in her first Iditarod. She was born and raised in California and graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991. She works in environmental regulation in ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hendrickson/502203897_hWsid-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:52:41Karin's mother has been a volunteer for the race since 1998. In 2002 she talked Karin into volunteering. Karin returned in 2003, and says that is when she knew her future. She sold her ho ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Karin's mother has been a volunteer for the race since 1998. In 2002 she talked Karin into volunteering. Karin returned in 2003, and says that is when she knew her future. She sold her ho ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502204056_pRUPq" title="Karin's mother has been a volunteer for the race since 1998. In 2002 she talked Karin into volunteering. Karin returned in 2003, and says that is when she knew her future. She sold her ho ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hendrickson2/502204056_pRUPq-Th-1.jpg" width="104" height="150" alt="Karin's mother has been a volunteer for the race since 1998. In 2002 she talked Karin into volunteering. Karin returned in 2003, and says that is when she knew her future. She sold her ho ..." title="Karin's mother has been a volunteer for the race since 1998. In 2002 she talked Karin into volunteering. Karin returned in 2003, and says that is when she knew her future. She sold her ho ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Hendrickson2/502204056_pRUPq-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:52:47Melissa Owens' team.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Melissa Owens' team.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502215192_d4QJA" title="Melissa Owens' team."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Owensdogs/502215192_d4QJA-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="105" alt="Melissa Owens' team." title="Melissa Owens' team." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Owensdogs/502215192_d4QJA-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:54:39Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 20 ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 20 ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502212593_Y6trL" title="Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 20 ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/MelissaOwens/502212593_Y6trL-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="118" alt="Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 20 ..." title="Melissa, 19, was born in Nome and has spent her whole life there. She says she began mushing as soon as she could stand on the runners. She completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 20 ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/MelissaOwens/502212593_Y6trL-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:54:4243-year-old Alan Peck of Eagle River in his rookie race<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />43-year-old Alan Peck of Eagle River in his rookie race</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502216230_Ho7pM" title="43-year-old Alan Peck of Eagle River in his rookie race"><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/peckdogs/502216230_Ho7pM-Th-1.jpg" width="101" height="150" alt="43-year-old Alan Peck of Eagle River in his rookie race" title="43-year-old Alan Peck of Eagle River in his rookie race" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/peckdogs/502216230_Ho7pM-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:58:28Alan began mushing in 1986 when employed that winter at the Denali National Park kennels. He used freight sleds and large dogs to haul supplies and partrol the Park. He got as far as Sha ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Alan began mushing in 1986 when employed that winter at the Denali National Park kennels. He used freight sleds and large dogs to haul supplies and partrol the Park. He got as far as Sha ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502196024_D4G2w" title="Alan began mushing in 1986 when employed that winter at the Denali National Park kennels. He used freight sleds and large dogs to haul supplies and partrol the Park. He got as far as Sha ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/allenpeck/502196024_D4G2w-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Alan began mushing in 1986 when employed that winter at the Denali National Park kennels. He used freight sleds and large dogs to haul supplies and partrol the Park. He got as far as Sha ..." title="Alan began mushing in 1986 when employed that winter at the Denali National Park kennels. He used freight sleds and large dogs to haul supplies and partrol the Park. He got as far as Sha ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/allenpeck/502196024_D4G2w-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 13:58:38These are Martin Buser's dogs.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />These are Martin Buser's dogs.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502197784_VQ7tL" title="These are Martin Buser's dogs."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Buserdogs/502197784_VQ7tL-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="103" alt="These are Martin Buser's dogs." title="These are Martin Buser's dogs." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Buserdogs/502197784_VQ7tL-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 14:00:43Martin is a four-time Iditarod champion, and holds the record for the fastest Iditarod, 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, in 2002. He came to Alaska in 1979 and ran his first Idit ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Martin is a four-time Iditarod champion, and holds the record for the fastest Iditarod, 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, in 2002. He came to Alaska in 1979 and ran his first Idit ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502197488_e6GWN" title="Martin is a four-time Iditarod champion, and holds the record for the fastest Iditarod, 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, in 2002. He came to Alaska in 1979 and ran his first Idit ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/buser/502197488_e6GWN-Th-1.jpg" width="110" height="150" alt="Martin is a four-time Iditarod champion, and holds the record for the fastest Iditarod, 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, in 2002. He came to Alaska in 1979 and ran his first Idit ..." title="Martin is a four-time Iditarod champion, and holds the record for the fastest Iditarod, 8 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 2 seconds, in 2002. He came to Alaska in 1979 and ran his first Idit ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/buser/502197488_e6GWN-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 14:00:48The team of Sebastian Schnuelle from Whitehorse, Yukon.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />The team of Sebastian Schnuelle from Whitehorse, Yukon.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502219973_en3Pg" title="The team of Sebastian Schnuelle from Whitehorse, Yukon."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Schnuellesdogs/502219973_en3Pg-Th-1.jpg" width="98" height="150" alt="The team of Sebastian Schnuelle from Whitehorse, Yukon." title="The team of Sebastian Schnuelle from Whitehorse, Yukon." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Schnuellesdogs/502219973_en3Pg-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 14:03:03Sebastian, 38, was born in Germany, He studied Environmental Engineering there, and then moved to Canada in 1996 "in search of adventure." He's run many mid-distance races and ran both the ...<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Sebastian, 38, was born in Germany, He studied Environmental Engineering there, and then moved to Canada in 1996 "in search of adventure." He's run many mid-distance races and ran both the ...</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502219402_ZXkNc" title="Sebastian, 38, was born in Germany, He studied Environmental Engineering there, and then moved to Canada in 1996 "in search of adventure." He's run many mid-distance races and ran both the ..."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/schnuelle/502219402_ZXkNc-Th-1.jpg" width="103" height="150" alt="Sebastian, 38, was born in Germany, He studied Environmental Engineering there, and then moved to Canada in 1996 "in search of adventure." He's run many mid-distance races and ran both the ..." title="Sebastian, 38, was born in Germany, He studied Environmental Engineering there, and then moved to Canada in 1996 "in search of adventure." He's run many mid-distance races and ran both the ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/schnuelle/502219402_ZXkNc-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 14:03:11Dr. Jim Lanier, 68, of Chugiak has always had a beautiful all-white team.<p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com">northernvisions</a><br />Dr. Jim Lanier, 68, of Chugiak has always had a beautiful all-white team.</p><p><a href="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/7763910_s8Dmj#502209825_5NkCA" title="Dr. Jim Lanier, 68, of Chugiak has always had a beautiful all-white team."><img src="http://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Lanierdogs/502209825_5NkCA-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Dr. Jim Lanier, 68, of Chugiak has always had a beautiful all-white team." title="Dr. Jim Lanier, 68, of Chugiak has always had a beautiful all-white team." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p>2009-04-05T15:03:13Znorthernvisionshttp://northernvisions.smugmug.comhttp://northernvisions.smugmug.com/Sports/Iditarod-XXXVII-The-Challenge/Lanierdogs/502209825_5NkCA-Th-1.jpg2009-03-08 14:04:38