HUMAN

Name: Sydnie Bahl

Age: 36
Residence: Wasilla, Alaska

Occupation: Physical Therapist

First Year Ran Iditarod: 2025
How many years involved with Iditarod: Two Years

Iditarod Role: Musher

Current Location: Downtown Anchorage Start Staging Area

Date of Photo: March 7, 2026
Temperature: 16F

Question 1: What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod:

I first became involved with the Iditarod several years ago, I guess, of how I got into mushing. I met one of my first patients, I work as a physical therapist, and one of my first patients, his wife was an Iditarod finisher, and so I thought, “Man, that sounds really interesting. I think I want to do that.” And started working with Vern Halter and Susan Whitton at Dream of Dream Kennel. And that’s how I got involved into mushing, and then quickly did my Iditarod qualifiers, and running my 2026 rookie year with Iditarod.

Question 2: What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

 

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod, I’m running my 2026 rookie year.

Question 3:  Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.

One of my most memorable experiences is just being out on the trail, being able to travel to these remote villages and remote train that you wouldn’t otherwise get to see, and spending all that quality one-on-one time just further deepening that bond between you and your dogs, is just something really special out there on the trail.

What in life do you know for sure?:

 

What I know for sure in life is tomorrow is never promised. And so do the tough things now, and go follow your dreams.