HUMAN

Name:Brenda Mackey
Age: 46
Residence: Two Rivers, Alaska
Occupation: Kennel Owner
Years involved with Iditarod: 46 years
Iditarod Role: Musher
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 the Iditarod as a very young child, basically a toddler age. And one of my first memories is at our home in Wasilla before my parents moved out to the bush, and my dad saying to me as a very little kid, like four, he said, “Who do you think is going to win Iditarod this year?” And I said, “Rick Swenson.” And he said, “No, I’m going to win.” And he did. He won that year.

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

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because it’s been a lifelong goal to finish the race, and so that’s what I am up to.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was probably going through the gorge, and just looking around and how interesting it was, and thinking about my dad and grandpa going through there, for many years that they ran the race and Uncle Lance and just, it really brought a lot of history up for me mentally, to go through there and think about that.

What do you know for sure?:

What in life do I know for sure? I guess that would be that I really love dogs.