HUMAN

Name: John Norris

Age: 64
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: I’ve been a marketing company president for U-Haul company of Alaska for the last 44 and a half years. And for the last six months I’ve been in ownership for U-Haul building the U-Haul facilities in Alaska.  

Years involved with Iditarod: 31

Iditarod Role: So as the role, Iditarod has been very, very multitask
Current Location: McGrath, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 11, 2020
Temperature: -10F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with Iditarod in 1989. A friend of mine, Al Lewis, who was another pilot that was very much involved with the race, said that the race needed some help moving some dog food from Wasilla area on up to Puntilla Lake. They said that they would pay for my airplane gas. All I had to do is just haul some dog food to Puntilla, and that’s how I got involved.

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here today involved because of just the incredible comradery between all the folks and people of this race. It brings together the whole community of Alaska in every shape, form and the people are just so wonderful to work with. And of course the magnificent flying, beautiful days of flying and just thinking of all the adventures every year and what I had looked forward to next year. It’s something I’ll be involved with quite a while, I’m sure.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

My most memorable Iditarod experience is probably yet to come. I’ll tell you, every year is new and exciting and I just can’t wait for the next day to roll around because it is also memorable.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that every second, every moment, every day, every night is the most valuable precious thing that any human being can have and just take advantage of it.