HUMAN

Name:Andrew Cushman
Age: 64
Residence: Washington State
Occupation: Retired
Years involved with Iditarod: Four days
Iditarod Role: Iditarider
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?:

I first became involved with Iditarod four days ago. My wife came down and said, “Hey, somebody returned an auction item, do you want to go to Anchorage and be an Iditarider?” I’m like, “Hell yeah.” That’s what I always say anytime anybody asks me if I want to go to Alaska.

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

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because I got a free VIP pass, an Iditarod coupon to go ride with a musher, and my musher today is Keaton Loebrich.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was actually this whole week. I showed up, I got to the meet and greet the mushers, I went to the banquet, I’m sitting here waiting to get in the sled and do my first Iditaride.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is my mom’s going to die. She’s 94, lives by herself out in Montana on 60 acres, cuts her on firewood, but one of these days we’re going to have to put her in that Alaska cooler and then bury her next to my dad on the property. That I know for sure.