HUMAN

Name: Jenny Hand
Age: 76
Residence: Valparaiso, Indiana
Occupation: Attorney 
Years involved with Iditarod: 15
Iditarod Role: At the ceremonial start, I’ve worked in registration and trail guard at the restart
Current Location: Lakefront Hotel, Anchorage, AK

Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Temperature: 68F

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

I got involved with the Iditarod in 2011 when my daughter moved up here for a job. She is a physician assistant and she worked for the Native Alaskan Hospital and we took a walk around Anchorage when she first came up here for her interview in January 2010. She moved up here officially in May 2010, and I saw the paw prints on the pavement that ran around the corner of the bronze dog on Fourth Street. And when I saw that, I started learning about the Iditarod and I was so smitten that I would’ve probably raced the trail myself cold handed. But I did, I became involved as a volunteer and that was my first year.

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

 

I am here today and involved with Iditarod because I’m still a volunteer. I’ve greatly reduced the jobs that I can do, so I’m in registration. I get to meet all the volunteers who come to work Iditarod.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was the first time I was able to help with the drop dogs. And I loved that so much because the first I did ride that I watched was 2011 at the restart, and we walked all the way across the states… The lake, and perched ourselves up on a berm of snow and watched the dogs come off the lake and head down the trail. And it was after seeing them, listening to their quiet panting, the plotting of their paws on the pack snow, watching the mushers work with their team was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. So I came back and started working with the drop dogs and I couldn’t pet them enough.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that nothing is for certain. Just have fun and enjoy the dogs and mush on.