HUMAN

Name: Jamie Kohn
Age: 49
Residence: Denali National Park, Alaska
Occupation: Seasonal worker, guide, jack of all trades
Years involved with Iditarod: since 1998
Iditarod Role: I’ve worked on the trail as dog drop handler, a handler, and a checker
Current Location: Downtown Anchorage Ceremonial Start, Anchorage, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 1, 2025
Temperature: 30F outside

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

When I moved to Denali National Park in 1997, I worked for a couple that was running the Yukon Quest, and I got into sled dogs, learned all about it. Went back to university in Colorado. My neighbor had puppies from Susan Butcher. So I ran dogs all winter. And then my neighbor at Denali National Park, Bruce Lee, when I came back, was running Iditarod. And I said, “Oh, that’s fantastic. I’ve always dreamt of doing that. Can I come help you at the start?” And he said, “Yeah, you should also volunteer.” So I volunteered and was in McGrath working with the veterinarians in dog drop in McGrath in 1998. And that was my beginnings with Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

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

So at the moment, I am not volunteering this year, but I came to see all my friends and to be part of the sport, to see the start, and just support Iditarod.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

I think one of my most memorable experiences was working in McGrath. It was a really rough trail, and Rick Swenson had scratched that year. Unfortunately he was really ill. And so we sent him home with a plane load of drop dogs. And at last moment I had a dog in heat that I said, “Oh, I have one more dog, Rick, here you go.” And I load it on his lap and shut the door as quickly as I possibly could to get this dog home. And I have a feeling it was a very long flight back to Anchorage for Rick.

What do you know for sure?:

That nothing is predictable, and you have to enjoy every moment of every day for what it is.