HUMAN

Name: CINDY ABBOTT
Age: 65
Residence: WILLOW, ALASKA
Occupation: RETIRED UNIVERSITY INSTRUCTOR
Years involved with Iditarod: 7 YEARS +
Iditarod Role: DOG MUSHER
Current Location: IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS
Date of Photo: SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2024 DURING IDITAROD PICNIC
Temperature: 73F 

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?:

I got involved with the Iditarod in 2011. After I summited Mount Everest, a gentleman made a joke to me— “what was I going to do next? …Run the Alaskan Iditarod?”

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I’m still involved with the Iditarod because after running my first race, I was addicted. In fact, I moved from California to Alaska to continue to continue to run the dogs.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

My most memorable Iditarod experience was crossing the finish line in Nome in 2015, because the two prior year Iditarods, I had to scratch due to injury, so this was my third time. Third time’s a charm. In 2015 there was extreme weather blizzards for weeks. Average temperature the first eight nights of the race was… average 50 below. There was no trail. There was no trail markers. The blizzard had blown it all away, and I was out there for 13 1/2 days, and I finally made it across the finish line.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that life is for living, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. I look at life as a book that has chapters, and right now, since I’ve retired from running in the Iditarod, I’m on to opening the next chapter of my book.