HUMAN

Name: Mike Santos

Age: 56
Residence: Cantwell, Alaska
Occupation: Dog musher
Years involved with Iditarod: The first Iditarod I was involved with was 2005. But I’ve been following the Iditarod since the mid-eighties. 
Iditarod Role: Well, I’ve done everything. I’ve been a handler for Iditarod mushers, I’ve been a volunteer for the Iditarod, I’ve run the Iditarod. I am now a spectator fan of the Iditarod, and I run probably one of the largest Sled Dog Kennel tours in the state. So I promote the Iditarod as a business, pretty much year-round.
Current Location: Downtown Anchorage Ceremonial Start, Anchorage, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 1, 2025
Temperature: 30F outside

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

The first time I was involved with the Iditarod, I was handling for Jeff King. That ended up being serendipitous. But I purposely moved to Alaska to be involved and participate in the Iditarod. I’d been mushing for 20-some-odd years when I moved to Alaska. And really, Susan Butcher and Rick Swenson, those duels back in the day, were really what sparked my interest in sled dogs.

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

My why? I don’t know what else I’d be doing. I started mushing dogs in 1986. I’ve owned dogs ever since. And I don’t know if there’s anything else in life that I would be interested in pursuing. And I’m here today to just enjoy this, because I’m now a fan, as well as a spokesperson. And I’m still mushing, even though I’m no longer racing.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

So my most memorable experience, Iditarod experience, kind of unusual, because it was after the race was over. And due to a storm that I, as well as one of the mushers that I always looked up to, Rick Swenson, and I crossed the sound in the storm. And then I got lost, I led him across the sound, I got lost, and then, of course, he went on to finish before me. And so the most memorable part about that was, having done this now for 40 some odd years, having your, sort of idol, approach your wife, who he had never met and said, “If you ever sell any of them dogs, give me a call first.

What do you know for sure?:

The one thing I know for sure in life is I don’t know anything.