HUMAN

Name: Mark Braaten
Age: 61
Residence: South Gettysburg, South Dakota.
Occupation: Hunting lodge manager, and the Alaska Bushman.
Years involved with Iditarod: about 10
Iditarod Role: I’m just a spectator and the Alaska Bushman for Alaska’s Healing Hearts
Current Location: Downtown, Anchorage, Alaska. 
Date of Photo: March 7, 2020
Temperature: 18F/Outdoors

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

I got involved with the Iditarod about ten years ago as a spectator. And then as the Alaska Bushman. I’m the mascot for Alaska’s Healing Hearts. So there’s a lot of people down here and, of course with what I have on, everybody likes to take my picture. So I asked for donations. 

What is your Why?..Why are you here today and involved in Iditarod?

I’m here to today and involved with the Iditarod. With all the fans that come out and me being with the Alaska’s Healing Hearts, I’m the mascot, the Alaska Bushman. And, of course, there goes to the dogs. So yeah, it’s a great time, and people every year coming out here, meet new people every year from all over the world. So it is a pretty neat event.

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

One of the most memorable Iditarod experiences was one of the first years I was the Bushman, and over a thousand people took my picture at one time. So that was pretty neat. 

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that there are many, many great people in this world.