HUMAN

Name: Hernán Matias Maquieira

Nationality: Argentinian

Age: 50
Residence: Folldal, Norway

Occupation: Teacher

First Year Ran Iditarod: 2007

How Many Years Involved With Iditarod: 2 years

Iditarod Role: Musher and Handler

Current Location: Trondheim, Norway

Date of Photo: March 12, 2026
Temperature: -2 Celcius

PHOTO  BY: Erin Hagestande (Chamedia)

Question 1: What is it about running sled dogs that you love so much?

What I love about running sled dogs is the possibility of connecting with nature in a unique way. Sled dogs give me the feeling of freedom, the real view of the world we live in and the chance to appreciate life with what I consider my best friends.

Question 2: What, who or how and when & why did you first get involved running the Iditarod?

 

I got involved running the Iditarod because in 1996 when I participated in my first sled dog race in Ushuaia, Argentina, I met Mark Nordman. He came to Argentina to help develop dog mushing; he showed me the video of that year’s Iditarod won by Jeff King and since then, I dreamt (and put it as goal in my life) to be part of the race. I read as many books and saw as many videos you could find at that time and never stopped thinking about the Iditarod. In 2006, I moved to Willow, Alaska to train dogs for my friend Fabrizio Lovati (Iditarod musher, too) and in 2007 I participated with his puppy team, that I had trained for 2 years. 15 of the 16 dogs were rookies in that race, just like me! 

 

Question 3:  Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences running the Iditarod.

 

My most memorable experience running the Iditarod is the opportunity to understand how extraordinary sled dogs are. My team was inexperienced, like me, but every time we encountered a challenge, they resolved it in a way that permitted us to get closer to the finish line. In the year 2007 we had to face various challenges, wind and snowstorms crossing the Alaska Range; little to no snow on the Interior; -40/50 on the Yukon River and we ran all the distance of the Coast alone as we were in the back of the pack. Every challenge was no problem for my team. Crossing the finish line in Nome at 6.30 in the morning on a Sunday and lots of people waiting for us, will be in my memory forever!!

What in life do you know for sure?:

 

What I know for sure in life is that everything is possible when hard work is behind it! Life will always give you opportunities and choices and it is up to you to decide what you want to do with them. Nobody controls your life, so big dreams are the way to be sure your only life in this planet is worth it.