HUMAN

Name: Keaton Loebrich
Age: 32
Residence: Fairbanks, Alaska
Occupation: Musher/Tour Guide
Years involved with Iditarod: This is our first Iditarod
Iditarod Role: Musher
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?:

So I first became involved with Iditarod when I came up here for a summer job in 2021. It was the first time I’ve ever been up to Alaska, and I came up here to do Jeep tours down in Denali. And our Jeep site was right next to the Husky Homestead and Jeff King, so I met him and a few other mushers working there, and that’s how I really got introduced to mushing, especially distance mushing, and really got to figure out what the Iditarod was all about.
And later on, my wife actually got a job with Jeff while I was still in school because I had to go back for my fall and spring semesters before I graduate. And came up here every break I had and was up here three years ago to help Erika handle for a minute, I don’t know, for running Jeff’s team. And that was the first time I’d been to a ceremonial start; I guess only time before now.
And now we’re here running it just three years later which is absolutely insane when you stop and think about it. It feels like it’s been a lifetime because of how much work we put into this. But sometimes you close your eyes and think and it’s like, holy cow, we’re in Alaska and running dogs, running Iditarod. So I don’t know. It’s been an incredible journey so far and hopefully that continues.

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

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because I love these dogs so much. I mean, anytime I think about being on the trail of the dogs, I get emotional, just the bond we have and what they’re willing to do for you and how much they love to do this. I mean, a lot of the times for the musher, it’s downright torture, and it’s horrible, and it’s miserable, but the dogs absolutely love it, and that’s why I continue to go on because of how much fun they’re enjoying it. Even though I might be tired, I might be cold, I might be cranky, I might be in miserable weather conditions, they’re having the time of their life, and that’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps me excited on the sled.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was starting now because this is my first Iditarod experience.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is you’ve got to go out and do what you want to do. If you’ve got goals, go chase them because they’re not going to chase you back.
I mean, financially, I’m the most broke I’ve been in my entire adult life. By far this is absolutely the most insane thing you can do financially. And trust me when I say that. I have a degree in finance. This is absolutely insane, nuts to do, especially just starting out to start your own kennel. And to be here in Iditarod, as fast as we are, we’re so broke and have no money, but when I’m on the trail with the dogs, I mean, I’m the richest person in the world.