2021 / 2022 Racing Season

After successfully completing our first Iditarod in 2021, there’s still more on the docket! First of all, Will and the dogs want to get to NOME. So for 2021 we’ll be racing Iditarod again, this time in the more “traditional” style.

Meanwhile, Samantha LaLonde will be finishing her qualifiers, including the Copper Basin 300 and the Yukon Quest 200. Sarah Harman will return to racing with the Solstice 100. Shawn is looking forward to doing their first mushing race– Either the Bun Run or the Valley Funale! It’s going to be an awesome season!

Want to support our season?

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5 Year Plan

Our main focus and goal is Iditarod and Yukon Quest in the first 5 years. But to get there, we have some things to do on the way.

Year One (2017/2018)

First things first… Puppies! We started ATAO small and worked from the ground up. All star matriarch Hooch and good friend Bonnie helped train the first passel of pups. You can meet the Star Wars Pups or the Outlaws— our first two groups of puppies– by following the links!

Our first winter was about raising pups to be happy, healthy members of ATAO, building the kennel up, and laying the groundwork for the goals ahead. It included a lot of puppy walks, socialization, and one on one work with the little monsters.

We have to give a huge shout out of thanks to the group of people who laid the groundwork for our seminal season: The Founding Members. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to make our first year a success!

Years Two through Five (2018-2022)

Part of the journey (and the fun!) is officially qualifying, which includes 750 miles of races (with at least two 300-mile races). There are only a select few races that are official Iditarod qualifiers, which include races such as:

Other Adventures

I made myself a promise that before I ran Iditarod I’d run a marathon. Part of my personal preparation for Iditarod will include the Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks.

Activity is key to maintain good mental health. I also think it’s essential for today’s mushers to be in top physical form. One of my favorite ways to stay in shape, test myself, and push my limits is through boxing. I learned to box at Mark’s Boxing Gym in Wasilla. Even though I’ll be in Fairbanks for the next few years, I’ll carry on with the boxing routine Mark taught me. I may even see if I’m able to participate in some amateur tournaments coming up.

You can follow updates about my running and boxing on my blog ATAO Adventure, which is about coping with depression through adventure and activity.