HUMAN

Name: Mark Lindstrom

Age: 62
Residence: Seward, Alaska

Occupation: Boat Captain
First Year Ran Iditarod: 1997

How many years involved with Iditarod: 14

Iditarod Role: Musher, race judge

Current Location: Dena’ina Convention Center, Downtown Anchorage for Musher Banquet

Date of Photo: March 5, 2026
Temperature: 68F, indoors

Question 1: What is it about running sled dogs that you love so much?

What I love about running sled dogs is that it’s a chance to get together with another species other than people to work out a working relationship towards a common goal where we both rely on each other. Where we both rely on each other to fulfill that goal. 

Question 2: What, who or how and when & why did you first get involved running the Iditarod?

 

I got involved running the Iditarod because I worked in Denali National Park in the summer, and I was looking for some housing, and Jeff King was providing a cabin in exchange for taking care of dogs in the summer, and I thought it was so great in the summer. It must be even better in the winter. 

Question 3:  Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences running the Iditarod.

My most memorable experience of running the Iditarod is in 1997. When we started out in the race, we ran with the Hale-Bopp Comet in the sky, through the Northern Lights. I also highly valued that I got to run alongside Joe Redington Sr. in his last Iditarod, and interact with him. The main thing that he taught me was that you don’t have to be as old in your mind as you are in your body. 

What in life do you know for sure?:

 

What I know for sure in life is that I love the dogs and I love the wilderness.