HUMAN

Name: Carol Fairfield

Age: 63

Residence: Anchorage, Alaska

Occupation:  Retired

Years involved with Iditarod: 6

Iditarod role: Communications on the trail and starting dogs at the ceremonial start 

Current Location: Ruby, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 13, 2020
Temperature: 10F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with the Iditarod the year after I moved up to Alaska. I’ve always heard it’s a fabulous race so I wanted to try to be involved and when I was working helping with the race up in Nome, I ran into Dan Seavey and he said, “Boy, I’m never going to see you back here am I?” Because I was hooting and hollering and he’s seen me every year since.

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

I’m here today and involved in the Iditarod because I see how much time and effort the mushers put into this, just what athletes the dogs and the mushers are, and I would like to try to help them continue this race in any way possible. And it also gives me a chance to come out and see the beautiful little villages that are spread around Alaska and the hospitality that they provide. It’s just a unique, wonderful experience.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was a flight over, particularly today with our pilot Chet. He was wonderful. He brought me along the trails so I could see the mushers out in the middle of nowhere, just experiencing that quiet and that solitude of being there and just seeing more interior parts of Alaska. Truly unique.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that there are so many unique opportunities all over the world to help volunteer with different things that are going on. And Alaska is just one of the most beautiful places in the world. Doing races like this is just incredible. And so I know for sure that I want to just keep helping out with somebody that’s a little less fortunate or can use the help.