Alan entered the race last summer when he decided to take another long winter adventure. "Previously my wife and I twice traveled 800 miles by dog team across Alaska for 19 days as members of the Serum Run Expedition in 2005 and 2006. It was a great experience. We traveled through amazing landscapes, visited with people in remote villages and tribal communities along the way, and enjoyed the hard work and camaraderie of the expedition. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race poses a different set of challenges for me as a musher and will strengthen the close bond with my dogs as we overcome the obstacles along the way. I’m eager to negotiate the rough trail crossing the Alaska Mountain Range, travel through the isolated boreal forest and on the frozen Yukon River, and finally see the last 300 miles of windy and mostly treeless Bering Sea coast to the finish. Seeing new trail, meeting Alaskans in their rural villages along the way, and learning from and working with the best of veterinarians and marathon canine researchers are some of the many benefits of the race."

Just to get to the race start is demanding. In early September, Alan began to plan and prepare equipment and one ton of specialized food for a journey that can reach temperatures as low as -50° F. Further, hundreds of hours and over 2,500 miles run by the dogs during training are necessary to prepare for the long race. Though three months away, Alan will not have any free time between now and the Iditarod Race start.

For those interested in following the race, visit the Iditarod Sled Dog Race web site at:

More about Alan can also be found at this Iditarod web site link:

http://www.iditarod.com/race/musherprofiles/musherbio_317.html

To read an article on Alan’s Serum Run experience published in Refuge Update, May / June 2006, page 8:

http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/refugeUpdate/pdfs/refUp_MayJune_2006.pdf )