HUMAN
Name: Crystal Gunderson
Residence: Palmer, Alaska
Occupation: I work at Mat-Su Health Services as the practice manager
Years involved with Iditarod: This will be my first year at the Iditarod
Iditarod Role: I’ve been involved with the Iditarod as far as being a spectator since I was very little, I would say eight years old.
Current Location: Lakefront Hotel, Anchorage, AK
Date of Photo: March 2, 2023
Temperature: 15 degrees
What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?
I first became involved with Iditarod when I was very young. I grew up in a small town called Pilot Point, population of about a hundred, and I became obsessed with Iditarod actually because of DeeDee Jonrowe. I couldn’t really follow the race because of course we didn’t have any internet. So I waited every day for the mail plane to fly over for my dad to bring me the newspaper so I can see who was in the lead. So I followed Iditarod that way. And have followed it ever since.
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’m actually getting married on race day at Scary Tree. My wedding will be officiated by DeeDee Jonrowe. So I’m having a very Alaskan Iditarod wedding, and it’s really been a dream come true.
Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences:
One of my most me memorable Iditarod experiences was I would say about four years ago, my uncle brought me to Nome for the mushers banquet, and I was able to meet a lot of the mushers for the first time. I was so starstruck I couldn’t even talk to any of them. I wish I would’ve talked more. It’s actually great to be here again, seeing them all in person for a second time and actually talking to them. So it’s been really amazing.
What in life do you know for sure?
What I know for sure in life is that you just have to follow your dreams. I never thought I would ever be an IditaRider and or be married or even meet DeeDee Jonrowe on the Iditarod Trail. And all of my dreams are coming true here in a few days.