Matt Hayashida - Willow Bib 5

Matt Hayashida began mushing in 1993 and instantly knew he wanted to run the Iditarod.  That same year he moved to Alaska to work with Martin Buser.  The 33-year old has also worked as a river/fishing guide and a dog sled tour guide in Wyoming.  Currently he runs dogs almost all year, spending summers as a sled tour guide on a glacier.  He and his wife Sarah have one daughter. 

Gerry Willomitzer immigrated to Canada in 1996 after spending his entire life in Germany.  His first winter in Canada he became a handler for William Kleedehn and said that was how he got hooked on mushing.  After several years of being a handler, Gerry moved to his present home and built his own kennel and breeding program.  He's taken part in the Yukon Quest three times.  The 37 year old wants to spend this year learning the trail and training some young dogs.  Gerry is a rookie and hopes to run the Iditarod several times in a row.

Bruce Linton - Morrisville, Vt. Bib 8

As a new Alaska resident, Bruce Linton is looking forward to his first Iditarod.  Bruce and his wife just moved to Kasilof to build their own kennel.  He started mushing in 1998 and at the same time began a dog sled touring business in Vermont.  He quit his full time job in 2004 to run his touring company.  When he realized he couldn't train and run his dogs and run his business, he chose racing.  Bruce is an athlete himself, finishing 3 Ironman Triathlons. 

Joe Gans - Willow Bib 12

Joe Gans, 23, was born and raised in Minnesota. He attended Montana State University for two years, where he studied geography. At that time he wasn’t sure where he was gong in school so he left to give dog sled tours with the Spirit of the North Sled Dog Adventures in Big Sky, Montana. That winter he went to Skagway where he worked with tours that summer for Alaska Excursions. He spent the next winter in Willow, working with Iditarod veteran, Russ Bybee and Moose Crossing Kennel. “Now I am entering Iditarod to spend time with the dogs see a new trail and learn about myself at the same time.” Joe lists his hobbies as fishing, camping, hiking and snowboarding.

Clint Warnke - Fairbanks Bib 15

Clint Warnke began mushing in 1997 and then started working with Doug Swingley's puppy team in the fall of 2000.  He ran his first Iditarod in 2001 with that team and then moved on to help Sonny King train his team for the 2002 race.  The 36 year old ran the same team in 2003.  Born and raised in Canada, Clint moved to Alaska in 2004 to train dogs.  This year he will be running his own young team.  In his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing and running.

Art Church Jr. - Willow Bib 18 - Scratched

Art Church, 51, was born in Washington. He moved to Alaska in 1975, he says, "for a change." He has been self-employed for the last eight years. He and his wife, Bonnie are the parents of David, age 19.

Karen Ramstead - Perryvale, Alberta, Canada Bib 19

Karen Ramstead obtained her first Siberian husky in the early 90's and shortly after began running dogs.  Now, the 41 year old has over 50 of the purebred dogs in her kennel.  She had the first Canadian Kennel Club registered team of Siberian Huskies to compete and complete the Iditarod.  She is active in showing her dogs and enjoys photography.

Rick Holt - Willow Bib 20

Rick Holt, 39, was born in New Hampshire and was raised in Massachusetts. He received his BS in business from St. Michael's College in Vermont and then a BS in Biology from Seattle Pacific University and finally a MA in Education Leadership from the University of Alaska Anchorage. Rick writes, "Both my father and grandfather ran dogs in New England. My grandfather was president of the NESDC back in the 60's. My family valued being out doors, independent and adaptable. So I had many opportunities to gain and practice the associated skills." He and his wife moved to Elim for teaching jobs and says, "it was a matter of time before we fell into sled dogs, having our first litter and twin boys in 1999." For the next few years, he ran dogs on the coast of the Bering Sea and says "the Norton Sound Sled Dog Club was an invaluable resource and provided endless learning opportunities. I am looking forward to returning to my home turf and seeing many dear friends."

Deborah Bicknell - Auke Bay Bib 21

Deborah Bicknell, 62, was born in New Hampshire. She began mushing at the age of 11 and ran her first race with a family pet, a Saint Bernard. She determinedly worked her way up through the junior and adult ranks with the New England and Lakes Region sled dog clubs, earning two fourth places and one second place on the three-day open World Championship Sled Dog Derby in Laconia. During the winter of 1970, she gained experience with Earl and Natalie Norris at their kennel in Willow and placed third in the Willow Winter Carnival race that year, beaten only by Norris and George Attla. 1996 was an outstanding year for Deborah, the first woman to be awarded an "unlimited team" medal by the International Sled Dog Racing Association. She was nominated by the Manchester Union Leader sports writers was one of the outstanding athletes in the state and was featured as "musher of the Year" in Team & Trail.

Wayne Curtis - Wasilla Bib 22

Wayne Curtis, 46, was born in Indiana and moved to Alaska 15 years ago for "the Alaska lifestyle." He became interested in the Iditarod and mushing when watching the Race on television in the ‘70's. He ran his first Iditarod in 1995. He has registered Siberian Husky's and broke the Iditarod All-Siberian Husky race record in 1995. He is a member of the Siberian Husky Club of America, the Siberian Husky Club of the Last Frontier and the Alaska Chapter of the SCCA. He's been married to Chris for 23 years and says he is a "Ford Mustang enthusiast."

Jessica Hendricks - Two Rivers Bib 23 - Scratched

Jessica Hendricks, 25, was born and raised in Alaska. She’s been a kennel operator for fourteen years and “isn’t sure how she got interested in the Iditarod.” She raises and trains her own dogs with blood lines including Buser, Erhart, MacEachen, Taylor and Mackey. “I race in the Iditarod to prove my dogs and test our abilities.” She is partnered with Iditarod veteran Thomas Lesatz. She enjoys hunting, horses, fishing, and the outdoors.

Eric Rogers - Eagle River Bib 25

Eric Rogers says he's been fascinated with Alaska since his childhood.  The 59 year old was born in California and later moved to Colorado.  During a stint in the Air Force he made two trips to Alaska.  He made two more trips to the state while working for Shell Oil.  Eric, his wife and daughters moved to Alaska in 1991.  He began mushing in 1994 and slowly built a team.  Eric says it's an open question whether he will get good at Iditarod or get old first.

Sue Allen - Wasilla Bib 27

Born in Binghamton, New York in 1959, Sue graduated from Cortland State in 1981 and earned a Master's degree from Kent State in 1983. A job transfer brought her to Alaska in 1986 to start up a health and fitness program for BP. In 1998, a mid-life career change brought Sue to Wasilla High School as a Physical Educator and softball coach. A competitive fast pitch softball player for most of her life, she had to look for new avenues of adventure and competition.

Joe Garnie - Teller Bib 28 - Scratched

Joe Garnie was born on June 27, 1953. He grew up in Teller and still makes his home there, where he is a carpenter. He began mushing when he was 6 years old and has been interested in the Iditarod since his uncle, John Komok, ran the very first Iditarod. Joe says, "I wanted to run the Iditarod one more time while I'm physically able to and to see old friends along the trail. Joe is married to Mary and they have six children, Ashley, 11 and Jazzly, 10, still at home and Emma, Josie, Blanche and Alissa, grown and gone from home now.  He lists his hobbies as raising and mushing dogs, raising his two daughters, fishing and smoking fish.

Laura Daufereau - Port Gamble, Wash. Bib 29

Laura Daugereau, 25, was born in Tennessee. She says she was raised around the world as a Navy "brat." The family moved to Port Gamble because it was her dad's retiring duty station. They started a construction business there involving three generations of their family. Laura's has been involved in the construction business for 12 years. She began mushing in 1994 as a hobby but it "progressed into a passion and a way of life." "For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for the outdoors and a love of animals. The old ways of living off of the land have been a constant source of intrigue; man fighting to survive through whatever obstacles come his way.

Kirk Barnum - Seeley Lake, Mont. Bib 31

Kurt Barnum, 39, was born and raised in California. He began mushing in 1996, and in 1999, he moved to Montana to run dogs. He says that after running some other races, "I was inspired to run the Iditarod to race the best teams." "I enjoy raising my own dogs and living close to them and spending each day together. We are part of the same pack. We are only content if we are all together. We embrace the challenges we are faced with on the trail and racing other teams. We enjoy exploring new country and look forward to becoming more familiar with Alaska." Kirk is a forester and river runner and says his hobbies are boats and fishing.

Scott Smith - Willow Bib 35

Born and raised in Maine, Scott Smith studied fisheries while in college.  He moved to Alaska in 2005 after spending about 10 years in Wyoming.  The 36-year old says that he knew he wanted to run the Iditarod, the first time he stepped on sled runners.  When he's not racing he's a builder.  He says his hobbies are fly fishing and travel.

Jason Mackey - Kasilof Bib 36

Jason Mackey, 35, is the second generation of Mackey's to compete in the Iditarod. Father, Dick Mackey and older brothers, Rick and Lance are all three Iditarod champions and older brother Bill is also an Iditarod veteran. Jason has always been around sled dogs. As Dick Mackey's youngest son, Jason has literally mushed dogs all his life. Jason says, "I'm following in my father's footsteps and all three brothers, Lance, Rick and Bill. Having them all successfully complete the race just makes me want it that much more. I will always be honored following in all of their foot steps. They have all been great mentors. At least I know that I learned from some of the greatest in the sport today!" Jason moved his family from the Interior to the Kenai in search of a new start. He and his wife, Lisa, will celebrate their 16th anniversary in March. They have three teen age kids, Patrick, 16, Jason, 14, and Danielle, 17. Jason works as a heavy equipment operator and a commercial fisherman. When not taking care of his dogs or working, Jason enjoys riding their horses on the beaches of Cook Inlet and also, big game hunting. . Jason competed in three Jr. Iditarod races before graduating to adult racing.

Rohn Buser - Big Lake Bib 37

Rohn Buser, 18, started mushing with his dad when he was just a baby. A senior at Wasilla High School, Rohn has run the Jr. Iditarod four times and was the champion in 2007. He also placed fourth in the Kusko 300 in 2007. He enjoys running, white water kayaking and snowboarding.

Silvia Willis - Deshka Landing Bib 40

Silvia Willis was introduced to mushing on her first visit to Alaska in the fall of 1997.  Born and raised in Switzerland, the 32 year old says working with animals has always been her passion.  She started building a small dog kennel after permanently moving to Alaska and marrying her husband Andy Willis. Together they own and operate a hunting and fishing lodge from spring through fall.  Their winters are filled with mushing.

Kjetil Backen - Porsbrunn, Norway Bib 42

Kjetil Backen, 38, was born and raised in Norway. He began mushing in 1996 and ran mid distance races in Norway. He became interested in the Iditarod because he wanted to run longer races than were in Norway. A service technician for the last 16 years, Kjetil says he enjoys fishing and hunting. He is married to Ingrid and they have two children: Emil Andreas, age 7 and Helene, age 6.

Jake Berkowitz - McMillan, Michigan Bib 43

Jake Berkowitz, 21, was born and raised in Minnesota. He attended a local community college and then studied to be an EMT at the University of Colorado. He started mushing when he moved to Michigan in the fall of 2005 to work with Ed & Tasha Stielstra at Nature's Kennel. He will race Stielstra's B team in the 2008 Iditarod with his goal being "to have all the dogs finish, to learn the trail and to have fun doing it." He remembers learning about the Iditarod at a young age but says, "It was one of those childhood dreams, like being a fireman or a cowboy; I just never thought it would happen." In the off-season, he is an expedition guide in Northern Minnesota. His hobby is whitewater canoeing.

Warren Palfrey - Yellowknife, NWT, Canada Bib 44

Warren Palfrey, 32, began running dogs when he was eleven years old in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. As a Metis, Warren has always recognized the importance of dog sledding to his people's history. It was natural for him to want to run dogs. Warren started mushing by running a trap line with a team of Siberian huskies, Eskimo dogs, and Alaskan huskies. He now has Northern Star Kennels, home to 55 adult Alaskan huskies and 20 puppies of his own breeding, with an emphasis on the old Alaskan husky lines. We are constantly amazed by the resiliency, the athleticism, and the drive of the Alaskan husky. In 2001, Warren relocated his family and dogs to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to pursue his dream of becoming a professional dog musher. Since moving to Yellowknife, Warren has competed in races throughout Western Canada and the Western United States participating in the stage races for the last five years. Highlights of the 2006 2007 season were receiving "The Best Cared for Dog Team" awards in two major races, Race to the Sky, 2nd place, and The Diavik 150 Canadian Championship Dog Derby, 4th place. In 2006, Warren was awarded the first Leonard Seppala Heritage grant.

GB Jones - Wasilla Bib 45 - Scratched

Owner and manger of the Iditarod Trail Kennel in Knik, GB Jones gives tours throughout the year.  The historic Iditarod trail runs through GB's property.  The 58-year old enjoys mountain climbing, biking and fishing.  He is also an author.

Michael Suprenant - Chugiak Bib 46

Michael Suprenant, 43, was born in Germany while his dad was stationed there. He spent his youth living in Germany, Texas and New Mexico. After High School he joined the Air Force as an avionics technician, working on various aircraft including F-4s, A-10s, C-130s, C-5s, C-141s, KC-10s, KC-135s and the C-17. Mike has spent time all over the world including Hawaii, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia. He came to Alaska with the Air Force in 1997 and says he volunteered for Alaska expecting great skiing and fishing. He began thinking about the Iditarod at that time. After the Air Force he decided to stay in Alaska to pursue his Iditarod dream. He began mushing in 2000 and moved to Chugiak from Anchorage to be able to run dogs. With some great advice from Iditarod veterans and his own experiences as a volunteer on the trail he crafted a plan to run the Iditarod.  Mike’s goal for his first Iditarod race is to get as many dogs in the team across the finish line as possible. Mike currently works for the U.S. Army at Elmendorf A.F.B. He has a BA in Business and has been in contracting for three years. Michael is a member of the Chugiak Dog Mushers and enjoys hunting and fishing.

Heather Siirtola became hooked on sled dogs after running sled tours in Colorado and a few short races on the side.  The 29 year old moved to Alaska in 2003 to handle for Jerry Sousa and Kathleen Holden.  She now has a kennel of 25 dogs thanks to Jerry and Kathleen.  She looks forward to her rookie race and the long trip to Nome.

Jeff Deeter - Wasilla Bib 50

After living in different regions of Alaska for the first 14 years of his life, Jeff began running dogs in 2003 at the age of 15. Getting his start as a part time handler for a good friend, Jeff soon acquired his own dogs and began training for the 2005 Jr. Iditarod. After finishing 11th, Jeff ran again in 2006, placing 9th. "The Iditarod has been childhood dream and is the ultimate test of endurance for any long distance musher." Although dogs are his main focus, Jeff also enjoys biking, snowboarding, swimming and writing. In addition to his sponsors, Jeff would like to thank his beloved girlfriend Nina, his good friends, Frank and Claudia Sihler, and his wonderful parents, Eric and Gretchen.

Ryan Redington - Knik Bib 51 - Scratched

For the last five years, Ryan Redington has worked as a dog sled tour guide, but his connection with mushing is much longer.  Ryan says he's been mushing since he could hold on to a sled.  The two-time Junior Iditarod champion is the son of Raymie Redington and the grandson of Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington, Sr.  He has one daughter and is married to Erin Letzring.  The 24-year old was born and raised in Alaska and enjoys fishing and trapping.

Rudi Niggemeier - Salzkotten, Germany Bib 52

Rudi Niggemeier, 51, was born and raised in Germany. He has been a car dealer in the "beautiful small town of Salzkotten," since 1975. Rudi has been running dogs since 1995 and says he became interested in running the Iditarod after spending his first winter in Alaska in 2002. Now, he says he spends all winter in Alaska with "dogs, nature, nice friends and sled dog competition." and is running a team from Sebastian Schnuelle Blue Kennels. He says, "The Iditarod is after three years of learning, a great goal for me." Rudi enjoys outdoors, biking, sailing and dogs. He is the father of two, Jan, age 16 and Sven, age 21.

Gene Smith - Omak, Wash. Bib 53

Gene Smith, 64, was born on a sheep ranch in Omak, Washington, where he still lives in the same house in which he grew up. For seven years, he crop dusted and for 14 years he bought and logged timber land. "I've been racing bulls for 10 years, with two bulls going to the PBR finals in Las Vegas." He says he is "retired" now. He first came to Alaska in March of 2005 and became interested in mushing after riding with Rayme Redington at Iditarod Headquarters. He now spends his winters in Knik after purchasing a home there. Last year he intended to run the Iditarod but after an accident at his home in Omak in which he ended up with a broken neck, he had to skip the Race in 2007. He is married to Lynn and has two sons, Robert, 44 and Smiley, 43. He says his hobbies are raising rodeo bulls and flying. 

Blake Freking - Finland, Minn. Bib 54

Blake Freking, 34, was born in Minnesota. He was raised in Heron Lake and moved to Northeast Minnesota in 2003 for the best training area in Minnesota. He actually began mushing in 1995 and says, “I was fascinated by the Iditarod since childhood.” He has a degree in Mechanical Drafting and Design and has been employed by the U.S. Forest Service for the last three years. He is married to Jennifer who will be a rookie in the 2008 Iditarod.

Rachael Scdoris - Bend, Oreg. Bib 55

Rachael Scdoris, 22, was born in Oregon and graduated from Redmond High School in 2003. She says her occupation is dog musher. Rachael was born with Congenital Achromatopsia, a rare vision disorder. She is colorblind and her acuity is 20/200. She is extremely light sensitive. She is a member of the United States Association of Blind Athletes and the National Chiuldren's Oral Health Foundation. Rachael had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Rachael was honored by the Women’s Sports Foundation in New York City as one of the top women athletes in America. She served as Captain of her high school track and cross country teams. Rachael has been mushing since she was three years old and finisher her first Iditarod in 2006.  She says, "I love everything about dog mushing--working with dogs in the outdoors, the competition, and the ability to use all of my past experiences to improve my team. The Iditarod embodies all these things."  Rachael enjoys "sports without balls," reading, singing and volunteer work.

Cliff Roberson - Corvallis, Oreg. Bib 56 - Scratched

Cliff Roberson, 60, was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Bethesda, Maryland. He received his BA in Biology at Princeton and his MD at Baylor Medical School. For thirty plus years, he has practiced as a neurosurgeon. He moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1979 for "job opportunities, the mountains, rivers and the Pacific Ocean." He says that after a winter dog sledding vacation in Alaska in 1990, he wanted to do more, although at that time, running the Iditarod was far from his mind. "After all, I was a city kid!" But in the end he leased Joe Runyan's second team and ran his first Iditarod in 1992. After that he started his own team and ran again in '94 and '95, training out of Nenana. In '96 and '97, he won the Race to the Sky while training with Doug Swingley. He was entered in the '98 Iditarod and withdrew at the last minute when he suddenly realized that he was more interested in his daughter's swim races than his own races. So, he sold all his dogs. Cliff says he continued to follow the Iditarod via the Internet, but didn't step on the runners again for ten years. Eventually, he made a second discovery about himself. Mushing was still in his blood, so he spent a week at Vern Halter's kennel in Willow in 2006. He went there to enjoy the dogs, mushing, the trail, Alaska, etc. "I wasn't even thinking about the racing the Iditarod again, but the idea started creeping into my head a few weeks after returning home to Oregon. The challenge and lure of the trail was proving to be too much to resist." My wife and 10 year old son have given me the go ahead to run one last Iditarod, my 60th birthday present. Without their support and approval, I would not be able to enter. I am hoping for an additional birthday present-better trail and weather than in 2007! The Roberson's have a daughter Leslie, 18, a daughter Britland, 17, and a son Lake, 10. Cliff says he enjoys the saxophone, reading and playing with his kids.

Steven Madsen - Cougar, Wash. Bib 57

Steve Madsen, 43, was born in Utah and was raised in Cowlitz County, Washington, where he still lives. He received his law degree from Seattle University and has been practicing law the last 13 years. He began mushing in 1991 and has finished the Iditarod twice. He is married to Janet. He says, "While I only have 24 huskies in my kennel, most are Iditarod veterans and come from Swingley and Buser lines. With the support of my wife, my sponsors and my employer, The Building Industry Association of Clark county, Washington, I have the opportunity to bring a well-trained, experienced team to compete in the Race. I especially want to thank the Iditarod staff and volunteers for making the Race possible." Steve and Janet have a daughter, Erin, who will soon be five. Steve says his other interests are reading, working around his property and raising his daughter.

Melissa Owens - Nome Bib 59

Melissa Owens will be one of the youngest to run the Iditarod and the youngest girl. She won’t turn 18 until February 18. She was born and raised in Nome where she has lived her whole life. She is still a high school student, involved in AE21, a distance learning program. Melissa says that “mushing is in my blood.” When she was an infant, her dad, Michael, took her on stage with him to draw his starting number and now, 18 years later she will be drawing her own starting number. She has completed four Jr. Iditarod races and was the 2005 champion. She has also run the Jr. Quest, the Tug Bar and the Don Bowers 200 as well as Nome Kennel Club races. She raises and trains most of her own dogs and has worked closely with DeeDee Jonrowe the last several years. She has also worked with the Willis family for many years. Melissa’s hobbies are school, gymnastics, hiking and dogs.

Jennifer Freking - Finland, Minn. Bib 60

Jennifer Freking, 27, was born and raised in Cambridge, Minnesota. She moved to Finland in 2003. She says it is “the arrowhead of Minnesota and has great people, beautiful land and many lakes!” She began mushing in 1988 and finished the Jr. Iditarod in 1998 and has since completed the John Beargrease many times as well as other mid distance races. She says she dreamed of running her dogs in the Iditarod as long ago as she can remember. “I can definitely remember that I was inspired by Susan Butcher’s enthusiasm and success.” Jennifer graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and has been working as a veterinarian the last four years. A member of the ISDVMA, Jennifer enjoys running, biking, canoeing and horseback riding. She is married to Blake Freking, who will also be in the 2008 Iditarod.

Molly Yazwinski - Fairbanks Bib 62

Molly Yazwinski, 26, was born and raised in Deerfield, Massachusetts, where she grew up working on the family's dairy farm. She raised her own flock of sheep as a 4-H project and gained experience training border collies for livestock/farm work and herding trials. She graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2004 with a degree in biology. While in college she ran competitively on the NCAA DIII cross-country team. She says she continues to run road races and has finished three marathons. "My mother raced a sprint team on the New England circuit in the 1970's and her aunt mushed dogs in Alaska during the 1980's, so she says she grew up hearing a few mushing stories. "Mom's sleds still hang in the garage and on occasion, we sometimes hook up a team of border collies. When she was six, she and her mom traveled to Alaska to visit her aunt and she was in Nome to see the finish of the Iditarod. Since she graduated from college, she has spent the summer months back in Massachusetts working on the dairy farm and other shepherding jobs and the winters in Fairbanks mushing dogs where I have been a handler for Susan Butcher and Dave Monson. "I decided to run the Iditarod this winter after having traveled part of the trail in March of 2007 with Tekla and Dave. We experienced the energy and atmosphere of the Race and traveled through some spectacular country. In the 2008 Iditarod I will be mushing a team from Trail Breaker Kennel. I have been working with many of these dogs for three years and I am excited to see how they will perform in the Race. I am deferring my enrollment at Cornell Veterinary School for one year in order to have the opportunity to run Iditarod. Then I plan to pursue a career in veterinary medicine with a focus on large animal medicine and serving rural communities.

Sam Deltour - Sint-Kavis, Belgium Bib 63

Sam Deltour, 22, was born in Belgium and still makes his home there where he is a medical student. In the winter of 2007, he worked with a tour business in Italy. He moved to Alaska this spring to work with Seavey's Racing Kennel to "chase some stupid dream." He will be running a Seavey puppy team in the 2008 Iditarod. "At the age of 12, I saw a documentary about the Iditarod. I spent my youth dreaming about mushing snow dogs. A year ago, I decided to follow this dream. The Seavey family offered to let me run their puppies in the 2008 Iditarod, a great opportunity, a dream coming true. I 'm always looking for challenges or adrenaline rushes such as a triathlon, mountain marathon, survival run, nitesurfing are just a few of the things I do to keep myself busy." His hobbies include: kitesurfing, snowboarding and hiking.

Benedikt Beisch - Weinstadt, Germany Bib 64

Benedikt Beisch, 28, was born and raised in Germany. He studied business administration in Stuttgart and graduated from clerk school in 2002. He says, "Being bored as an industrial business clerk all day in an office, I came to Nenana, Alaska in February of 2003 to be a dog handler." On his quest to seek great adventures, he started training and racing out of Aaron Burmeister's kennel four years ago. "The highlight of my mushing career was running the Yukon Quest in 2007." Benedikt is running a talented and young team in his rookie year of the Iditarod. He lists his favorite activities as "dogs, and rocknroll. "

Dries Jacobs - Jabbeke, Belgium Bib 65

Dries Jacobs, 27 was born in Bauges, Belgium in 1980. He has a masters in translation (English/Spanish) from College Brussels and has worked in Michigan and Italy. Dries says, "I have always been fascinated by the extreme, whether it is hot or cold. The extreme cold has always attracted me. I think that humans should never have lost their relation with nature. Being out there and surviving on what nature provides gives me inner peace, away from 'civilized' world. Since I was a kid, I have travelled a lot. That explains my interest in languages and seeing the world. My dream is to one day do expeditions with dogs in some of the world's most beautiful places. If I can finish the Iditarod, I will be ready for any kind of expedition." Dries is single and his hobbies and interests include: running, travelling, skiing, hiking, and fishing.

William Kleedehn - Carcross, Yukon, Canada Bib 66

William Kleedehn was born in Germany in 1959. In 1981 he came to Canada to start a new life and adventure after a bad traffic accident that made life in Germany boring. He says, “Life was especially boring after I read in our local newspaper how close Rick Swenson lost to Dick Mackey in the 1978 Iditarod. I began mushing in 1983 and racing sled dogs a few years later. I now live near Carcross, Yukon Territory surrounded by mountains and sled dogs with my boys Tim, 16, and Logan, 15. I rent cabins and am a tourist operator as well as a dog musher. I entered the Iditarod because it’s about time!” Kleedhan’s hobbies are hunting, fishing, photography and outdoor stuff.

Sebastian Schnuelle - Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Bib 68

A search for adventure is what led Sebastian Schnuelle to Canada.  The 36-year old was born, raised and educated in Germany.  During the winter he operates his tour business, Blue Kennels, full time and in the summer he works for Alaska Excursions in Skagway.  He's run mid-distance races and ran both the Iditarod and Yukon Quest in 2005 and 2006.  Sebastian said he enjoyed running those races back to back.

Robert Nelson - Kotzebue Bib 70

Robert Nelson, 39, was born and raised in Kotzebue. He says he became interested in mushing while helping his dad, Louie Nelson. Robert has been a miner for the last 10 years. He currently lives in Anchorage.

Jon Korta - Galena Bib 71

Jon Korta wasn't interested in running the Iditarod until he volunteered as a checker in 2000.  Originally from the Midwest, he moved to Alaska in 1993 and has been running dogs for the last 10 years.  Jon, his wife and their three children live in Galena near the Yukon River, where they own and operate a bed and breakfast.

Sue Morgan - Richmond, Utah Bib 72

Sue Morgan, 58, is a native of Chicago who has spent a number of years alternating between residency in Alaska and Utah. After moving to Alaska from Illinois, she departed to attend Utah State University, where she received her BS and later her MS. Following graduation, she got a great job at USU and stayed. Alaska was a place she called home and one that was always in her thoughts. She returned to Alaska as a geologist in 1990 to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks to do graduate work and field study in the Brooks Range where she spent six summers in what she describes as "a magical place." "Ten years ago I took a beautiful malamute that needed a home and thought I would skijor with him. Got a second malamute mix that also needed a home. Turned out neither wanted to pull so after a few years of not going anywhere, I decided to try ‘real' sled dogs and bought three (3) from a racing kennel in Alaska - I was hooked! My kennel grew and grew. I ran distance races and thoughts of running the Iditarod started dancing in my head. It was a dream that became reality in 2006, Unfortunately, I scratched and thought my distance sledding might be over until this spring. The dream of going to Nome with my dogs gripped me again and didn't let go, so we are back on the trail." Sue is currently a geology professor at USU. She is married to John Martin and says she enjoys hiking, gardening, camping and cooking.

Sven Haltmann - Willow Bib 73

Sven Haltmann, 30, was born in Switzerland. Before moving to Alaska in 2001, he was tour guide in Switzerland. He says he moved to Alaska "looking for new challenges" and to see what mushing is all about. After working with Martin Buser in 2002 and 2003, he and his wife, Andrea, started their own kennel. The now own and operate a 45 dog kennel. They bred and raised all the dogs themselves and are excited to expose them to racing. Sven is a wild land fire fighter with Pioneer Peak during the summer months. In his spare time, Sven enjoys running and reading.

William Hanes - Kasilof Bib 74

William Hanes, 33, was born in Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky. He also worked at the horse park there for a year. He moved to Alaska in 1993 to commercial fish and "live." William says, "I grew up in Kentucky and have now found a nice home in Kasilof near the sea and winter trails." He became interested in the Iditarod when listening to tales in fish camp. He says he enjoys fishing and sports.

Liz Parrish - Klamath Falls, Oreg. Bib 75

Liz Parrish, 49, is an inkeeper who along with her partner Peggy, own and operate Crystalwood Lodge, a destination pet-friendly resort in the Southern Oregon Cascades. She also owns and operates Briar's Patch Sled Dogs, which currently has 28 canine members and Liz who is the musher and chief pooper scooper. From an enthusiastic and naive beginning with the "Motley Crew" team (an Aussie, Norweigian Elkhound, and Beagle Mix), Briar's Patch has developed into a small kennel of Alaskan Huskies, whose duel missions are to train for and race in distance sled dog events and provide opportunities for the public and individuals to learn more about sled dogs and sled dog sports. Liz's goal hs been to train her own distance racing team and to learn how to competently travel through the wilderness by dog team. Why Iditarod? Well, how do you know if you have those skills if you don't try? Liz started her mushing career through several trips with Wintergreen Lodge and subsequently through training her own dogs via Mushing Boot Camp and the many friends she and Peggy met there. She began acquiring Alaskans (starting with Briar) through her mentor Jamie Nelson and Briar's Patch was born, along with the dream of doing the Iditarod for her 50th birthday.

Allen Moore - Two Rivers Bib 76

Allen Moore started in sprint races, but for the last 5 years he's been running mid-distance races such as the Copper Basin 300 and the Tustumena 200.  He won the Copper Basin in 2005.  During winter he trains sled dogs full time, but in the summer he's a contractor and carpenter and fishes when he can find the time.  He and wife Aliy Zirkle live in Two Rivers.

Fabrizio Lovati - Vallee Da Aoste, Italy Bib 77

Fabrizio Lovati, 33, was born in Italy.  He began mushing in 1986 . Fabrizio became interested in sled dog racing after watching the Alpirod in 1988 . "My first dogs were from Iditarod champion Joe Runyan and North American champion, Roxy Wright. My kennel is in the Alps of Italy." Since that time he has participated in most of the major races in Europe. He ran the Alpirod four times as well as the European Championships, the World Champion Middle Distance 2003 and the Pirena four times. He ran the Grand Odyssee  and the European Championship in Norway in 2005.He ran iditarod 2004 /2006  He is the father of an infant, 2 years old  daughter, Giorgia. His hobbies are racing in rallies cars, racing super moto,  mountain biking , skiing and mountain climbing.

Rodney Whaley - Franklin, Tenn. Bib 78 - Scratched

Rodney Whaley, 55, is an Army Master Sergeant, serving on active duty with the Army National Guard. He lived his childhood in Alaska, racing in junior races in the 1960s, and has always remained passionate about sled dog racing. Utilizing the skills he has developed in the Army National Guard the past twenty-four years, he is running the 2008 Iditarod, and is the first Tennessean to have ever entered the race. Whaley began his Iditarod training in 2002 at Nakitsilik Outdoor Adventures in British Columbia, Canada. He has since trained at the Howling Dog Farm in Willow, Alaska and with Al Hardman in Northern Michigan. Whaley resides in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife, Vicki. He is the father of two grown children, Karen, 31, and Rodney Jr., 30. He received his Masters degree from Middle Tennessee State University, is a member of ClearView Baptist Church, Franklin, TN, International Sled Dog Racing Association, Mush with P.R.I.D.E., and Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association as a certified high school football official, having officiated for 25 years.

Kim Franklin - United Kingdom Bib 79 - Scratched

Kim Franklin, 41, was born and raised in the U.K, where she has been a farmer for the last six years. She began mushing in 1988 and says she started thinking about the Iditarod when she bought her first malamute. "Everyone has to have a dream in their life, preparing for and completing the Iditarod is mine. I first visited Alaska to follow the 2002 Iditarod and returned to the UK knowing that one day I would return to race against the legendary mushers that I had watched so closely. This will be the biggest challenge that I have ever faced, and I relish the opportunity to test myself to the limit. I dedicate my race to my mother and father, who have both passed on since my first visit to Alaska." Kim is a member of the National Farmers Union and the Racehorse Owners Association. She says she enjoys horse racing and fine dining.

Darin Nelson - Kotzebue Bib 81 - Scratched

Darin Nelson, 38, was born and raised in Kotzebue, Alaska. He began mushing soon after returning home from the Marine Corps in 1992 simply because his father, Louis Nelson, Sr. had sled dogs. Since collecting his own dogs in 1999, he has raced the Kobuk 220, Kobuk 440 and Kuskokwim 300 numerous times, along with other races throughout the state. He owns and operates Kobuk Lake Kennels outside Kotzebue which consists of breeds from top competitors of all sled dog disciplines. For the last few years he has worked as an operator unloading and loading aircraft for Northern Air Cargo, Lynden Air Cargo and Everts Air Cargo. Along with being a commercial fisherman he subsistence hunts and fishes all year round. After raising a family and working for the last decade, he now takes the fall and winter off to train for the 2008 Iditarod. He says his father has been racing his dogs the last 3 years, now it is his turn to learn the trail and see what all the hooplah is about. He says he enjoys dog mushing for the simple fact of being able to carry on the tradition passed from his ancestors and he is proud to be Inupiaq. Darin has four kids and one on the way this March, Taylon, 14, Swede, 12, Haley, 6 and Chase 2. His companion, Vickie, also a dog musher, is a big part of his success and helps with kennel chores and training year round. Darin will be the third Nelson to sign up this year, his father, Louis Sr. and his older brother, Robert, will be on the trail also.

Joe Runyan - Cliff, New Mex. Bib 83

Joe Runyan, 57, was born in Oregon. He was raised in Idaho and moved to Alaska in 1969, where he lived for 25 years. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1970 with a degree in zoology. In Alaska, he commercially fished and ran a kennel of sled dogs. During his 25 years in Alaska, he lived either on the Yukon River or on the Tanana River. He began mushing in 1971 and became interested in the Iditarod while trapping on the Yukon and listening the news of the '73 Race on a portable radio. He won the Yukon Quest in 1985 and then the Iditarod in 1989, becoming the first musher to have won both the long distance races. He says, "But some of my best experiences may have been expeditions on the Yukon River trapping with legendary woodsman Freddie Jordan by dog team." Joe says that his current occupation is "self-unemployed business ventures."  "After a fifteen year hiatus from dog mushing, I have been unbelievable lucky. Rachael Scdoris and Timmy Osmar asked me to be a part of their team in 2008. I just could not say ‘no' to this wonderful opportunity. As many in the mushing community already know, Timmy is recovering from a very serious ankle and leg injury. Therefore, I will be running Timmy's beautiful Iditarod team and acting as Rachael's visual interpreter. Rachael and Timmy have dusted me off, got me back on the runners, helped prepare the dog team, organized strategy, and to them I owe a ‘huge thank you.'" He is the father of Zac, 32, Seneca, 28, Zetdi, 21 and Zabeth, 18. He says his hobby is animals of all kinds. He's had fish farms, mules, sled dogs, homing pigeons, hounds, cattle and bird dogs. "My present business venture is to consume TNT bombing range contaminated plants with special microbe inoculated sheep. So.. new hobby is sheep.

Rich Corcoran - Valdez Bib 84

Richard Corcoran, 43, was born in Rome, New York and spent a good part of his early years growing up on Narragansett Bay in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. After graduating from SUNY ESF in Syracuse, New York, he headed north to Alaska in July, 1987 in search of adventure and employment. While working as a Fisheries Biologist at a remote Salmon hatchery in Prince William Sound, Rich met a wild mountain man from Trapper Creek (1994) who took him on his first mushing adventure!

Trent Herbst - Homer Bib 85

Trent Herbst, 37, was born in Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of LaCrosse with a major in Elementary Education. Before moving to Alaska in 2005 "to run the Iditarod," Trent taught school in Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Germany and Switzerland. He quit his fourth grade teaching position in Switzerland to handle and learn from musher Dr. Richard MacAuley in West Branch, Michigan. He entered his first race in 2005. He is now teaching fourth grade in Ketchum, Idaho, and looking forward to his second Iditarod. He and his wife, Candida, are the parents of Kali, age 5. Trent says he enjoys teaching and outdoor pursuits. The Herbst's spend their summers in Homer, Alaska.

Kelley Griffin - Wasilla Bib 86

Kelley Griffin, 48, was born in Minnesota and moved to Alaska in 1963. She began mushing in 1979 and In 1992, she moved out to Knik to run dogs. She has run the Iditarod once and the Yukon Quest five times. She is currently entered in both the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest for 2008. Kelley is the President of the Mat-Su Sled Dog Council, Inc., a member of the Iditarod Official Finishers Club, and the Yukon Quest Official Finishers Club. She says she enjoys wine, garden and horses.

John Stetson - Duluth, Minn. Bib 87 - Scratched

Learn more at John’s website: dogmusher.com

Anne Capistrant - Healy Bib 88

Anne Capistrant, 40, was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. She grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder and feeling like she was born a century too late. While working on her doctoral degree in ecology at the University of Minnesota in 1992, she met a kindred spirit in her husband Todd. They spent several years moving around the Midwest as education and professional jobs demanded. Anne "retired" from being a college professor in 1999 when their first child was born. After 7 years of training and racing dogs in the Midwest, the lack of snow and dream of living in Alaska drove the family north and they moved to Healy, Alaska in 2003. Anne now fills the role of homeschooling mom, kennel manager, livestock keeper (including milk goats, pigs, chickens, bees, and turkeys) and homestead manger (vintner, gardener, weaver, chef, and accountant).

Zoya DeNure - Gakona Bib 89

Zoya DeNure is a 29 year old native of Madison, Wisconsin who moved to Alaska in 2002 to race sled dogs and compete in the Iditarod. The former international fashion model left a successful modeling career in order to race sled dogs in Alaska. Zoya worked as a handler in 2003 before gathering her own team of dogs, some purchased, many rejected from other kennels. She is the owner and Chair of Crazy Dog Kennel and Canine Rescue, a non-profit organization and racing kennel that focuses on the training and rehabilitation of unwanted sled dogs. The Gin-Gin 120, a middle distance women's sled dog race, was organized by Zoya in 2005 to encourage the entry of women into the sport. Her goal is to be a competitive racer while bringing attention to the need to properly care for, train and socialize all sled dogs. She has competed in several mid-distance races placing in the top five of the field over the past three years and finishing the 2006 Chatanika 200 in second place. Zoya enjoys traveling, music, hiking, mountain biking, making jewelry and spending time with friends and family. Zoya and her husband, John Schandelmeier, reside at Maclaren River, mile 42 on the Denali Highway. Zoya will be competing in her first Iditarod with a mixed team of her own race and rescue dogs.

Richard Savoyski - Palmer Bib 90

Richard Savoyski, 22, was born in New York. His early years were spent in New York and the family moved to Minnesota when he was nine years old. He later moved to Montana where he attended Montana State University for two years and studied land resource management. While attending school he was also doing sled dog tours. He began mushing in 2005 and says that hearing stories of the trail and hearing about the thrill people get from running it made him aspire to run the Iditarod. He moved to Alaska recently “to get closer to serious dog mushing.” He is currently working at a summer sled dog excursion company in Skagway.  He says his hobbies are fishing, skiing and camping

Benoit Gerard - Amiens, France Bib 91

Benoit Gerard, 34, is from Amiens, France. He first became interested in running the Iditarod when he read Gary Paulsen's book, Winterdance. He currently lives in Kotzebue, Alaska, and trains with John Baker. Gerard began mushing in 2002 and his racing experience includes the Seeley Lake Race in Montana and Norway's races, the Femundsløpet in 2006 and 2007 and the Finnmarksløpet in 2006. He says his interests include reading, jogging and mountain biking.

Ed Stielstra - McMillan, Mich. Bib 92

Ed Stielstra, 37, and his wife, Tasha, own and operate a dog sled touring business and racing kennel in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was born and raised in Ludington, and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and then from Lynam Briggs University in biology. He moved to the upper peninsula about five years ago in search of "space and snow."  He has owned and operated Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Adventures for the last five years. He sums up his interest in the Iditarod by saying, "I love running dogs." He enjoys traveling with his "wonderful wife, Tasha," Utopian thought and taking long walks with puppies.

Peter Bartlett - Wasilla Bib 93

Peter Bartlett, 34, was born in Maine. He studied legal technology at the University of Maine. He began mushing in 1997 after moving to Alaska that year to run the Iditarod and learn more about sled dogs. He lists his occupation as sled dog tour guide/manager, which he's been doing the last three years. Peter is married to Therese and says his hobbies and interests are dogs and racing dogs.

Total prize money: $5021.22

Tom Roig's interest in mushing began in 1995 after a long distance trapline trip in Alaska.  He started with recreational, sprint and mid-distance racing and intended to run the Iditarod in 2003 and 2004 but was unable to.  With four training winters under his belt, 6,000 training miles and guidance from Iditarod veterans, Tom felt that this was the year.  He says his team is older and won't be fast, but hopes to have a memorable trip.  The 57-year old is grateful to his wife, Brenda, and his two daughters for their support.

Rick Larson - Sand Coulee, Mont. Bib 95

Learn more at Rick’s website: www.ricksracingrovers.com

Martin Koenig - Seeley Lake, Mont. Bib 96

Martin Koenig, 56, was born and raised in Switzerland. He moved to the United States in 1973 and became a US citizen in 1978. He settled in Montana in 1980 after arriving on horseback from Colorado. He says, "I traded horses for sled dogs in 1992 and started sprint racing." He moved on to stage, mid-distance and distance racing. He currently operates a 35 dog kennel in Seeley Lake. "I'm getting close to retiring from the sport and would like to run Iditarod before I hang up the harnesses.) A self employed machinist, Martin says he has no time for any other hobbies and interests.