HUMAN

Name: Samantha LaLonde
Age: 29
Residence: Fairbanks, Alaska
Occupation: Dog Musher
Years involved with Iditarod: 7
Iditarod Role: Rookie Musher
Current Location: Coast International 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 first got involved with Iditarod when I helped Will Troshinsky run his rookie Iditarod in 2021, I believe. And yeah, he ran his rookie race that year and then I started training for my Iditarod. And I first initially started running dogs and kind of looking towards Iditarod in 2019.

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

 

I am involved with Iditarod today for the challenge that it brings me and the challenge that it brings the dogs, and that we can take those challenges together and create a … Gosh, an incredible team that takes on the challenges together. They teach me lessons every day. And I think that’s one of the coolest parts about this race is that the dogs aren’t learning, it’s mostly the mushers learning from the dogs.

Tell me about your most memorable Iditarod experiences?:

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences has got to be last year. I helped Dallas Seavey train his 2024 team, and I was able to have the experience to watch him come into Nome, winning his sixth championship. And that was definitely a special moment, getting to see those dogs that I’ve trained with Dallas cross that finish line, happy and healthy and breaking records.

What do you know for sure?:

What I know for sure in life is that there are going to be challenges, there are going to be really hard days. Life is going to be basically a wave. You got your ups and downs. And this has been this entire season of training dogs as well, is that you got to ride that wave. Appreciate those lows, learn from those lows, and have a blast on those highs.