HUMAN

Name: Peter Kelly

Age:  78

Residence: Wasilla, Alaska

Occupation: Retired Teacher

First Year Ran Iditarod:   1988

How Many Years Involved With Iditarod: one

Iditarod Role: Musher

Current Location: Iditarod Headquarters, Wasilla, Alaska

Date of Photo: June 27, 2026

Temperature: 62F outdoors

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

I love being in the wilderness and interacting with dogs that I’ve loved my whole life. And when you’re out there, the experience of dogs on the trail with no one else around is pretty exceptional.

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

 

I got involved in doing the Iditarod when I went to see the Iditarod and I don’t remember the year ’73 I believe it was. Mary Shields and Lolly Medley were taken off with flashlights to go with the Nome on the dog team. And I went, “They’re the bravest women I’ve ever seen in my whole life.” And it inspired me. I wish I could do that.

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

 

Finishing the race in Nome, getting across the burl, knowing that me and my dogs had been able to as a team finish and then seeing my wife there too was a pretty big deal. And the switchbacks, getting through those my first time was very nice.

Question 4: What in life do you know for sure?

 

I don’t know a lot, but I’ve learned a lot from dogs that they always want to move forward and I should do that till I die.