HUMAN

Name: Calvin Daugherty
Age: 22
Residence: Sterling, Alaska
Occupation: Dog Musher
Years involved with Iditarod: 9
Iditarod Role: Rookie
Current Location: Coast Inn, Anchorage, AK

Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Temperature: 68F

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

I first became involved with the Iditarod when my family moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Anchorage, Alaska so that my dad could get into running dogs and get qualified and do the race. So I was about 11 years old when we moved here. And within the first two weeks of moving to Alaska, we went over to Jim Lanier’s house and within a few weeks we were running dogs over there on four-wheelers. I would run on the back of the four-wheeler with my dad as a kid, and then I got to ride the tag sled in 2016 for his first Iditarod. So I think I was 13 or 14 at the time. And then after that experience, got to fly to Nome to see him finish and think that’s really what got me hooked on the Iditarod.

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

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod because I love dogs, I love mushing, and I love going out in the wilderness with my dogs, especially.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was probably riding the tag sled with my dad in his first Iditarod, going down the streets of downtown Anchorage. It was really cool, especially as a kid who didn’t really know much about mushing. I remember hitting some of those sharp 90s and flying off the back of the tag sled and getting launched into the crowd. So for some kids that would be the worst day ever. But for me, I thought it was awesome.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that you should do whatever makes you happiest.