HUMAN

Name: Christian Calcote
Age: 49
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: Carpenter
Years involved with Iditarod: 32 
Iditarod Role: I’ve done anything from dog handling to security to spotter to, you name it, hang the signs, be my dad’s shadow.
Current Location: Anchorage, Alaska. 
Date of Photo: March 7, 2020
Temperature: 14F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with Iditarod in 1988 with my dad and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.

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

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because I’ve done it since I was a kid and it’s become just a natural thing to always be here because I get to see so many friends and people that I have been involved with over 32 years. And it’s the greatest race on earth and I couldn’t think of any other place to be.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was, we decided to be spotters and I had a radio ham guy and I was with my best friend. And we were on top of 4th Avenue theater and we had the bird’s-eye view, and we had the best view of the whole 4th Avenue. And just to be able to spot everybody, it was just fun being on top of the world and watching the race unfold below us. It was cool being a kid and being able to do that.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is this is the greatest race on earth. It’s one of the oldest, and I’ve been a part of it for so long, and I look forward to every year with friends and family and especially my father.