HUMAN

Name: Russell Croteau
Age: 67
Residence: Naples, Florida
Occupation: Retired
Years involved with Iditarod: This is my first one
Iditarod Role: Iditarider
Current Location: Lakefront Hotel, Anchorage, AK

Date of Photo: FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Temperature: 68F

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

I got involved with the Iditarod last January. I previously came on a caravan tour of motor homes to Alaska. The people that ran that tour said, hey, we’re doing a winter tour based around the Iditarod. Who wants to go? And I raised my hand and said, let’s go now.

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

 

I’m here today and involved with the Iditarod, because all my life I’ve loved the athletes, the dogs. I’ve watched the Iditarod from afar. Said someday I’m going to ride in that. And then life happened, and now I’m coming up to the Iditarod to see the athletes in action, and fulfill a bucket list item in my life.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was, hasn’t happened yet. It’s going to happen this afternoon when I meet my musher, when we do the meet and greet and meet all of the mushers. And I have some things that I want to give my musher, and in return I just ask that the mushers all finish and finish safely.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is, I will never finish my bucket list, but this is a good stop.