HUMAN

Name: Gail Phillips

Age: 75
Residence: Anchorage, Alaska
Occupation: Retired
Years involved with Iditarod: Honorary Musher

Iditarod Role: Musher Drawing and Banquet – Dena’ina Convention Center
Date of Photo: March 5, 2020
Temperature: 68F/Indoors

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

I got involved with the Iditarod in the early years. I saw an opportunity in 1974 to become involved with something that could be so classically Alaskan– Iditarod race. I was too young to have been involved in Alaska’s statehood movement or many of the other major resource issues that helped develop our state. So the Iditarod presented an opportunity for any Alaskan to become part of Alaska’s living heritage. My first responsibilities involved going to schools, the chambers of commerce, social groups, church groups, et cetera, to talk to them about the possibilities of the race. Normally I accompanied Joe Redington on these trips. Sometimes I had my little kids with me. What a time that was.

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

I am here today and involved with the Iditarod because once you are involved, it’s very hard to let it go. Although my role has changed over the years from race coordinator and board secretary, major advocate to that of advisor to the race foundation.

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

My most memorable Iditarod experience was the opportunity my friend Anne Patch Winters and I had to be the checkers at the Rohnriver checkpoint. That was an experience I will never forget.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that if we don’t live our lives to the best and the fullest, we are only cheating ourselves.