HUMAN

Name: Terry Adkins

Age: 78
Residence: Tracy, Montana

Occupation: Retired with 43 dogs in my kennel, which still keeps me working.

Years involved with Iditarod: I got involved with Iditarod in 1973

Past Iditarod Roles: Veterinarian and musher.

Current Location: Settler’s Bay Lodge in Wasilla, Alaska
Date of Photo: March 1, 2022

Temperature: 68 F Indoors

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

I first got involved with Iditarod in the 1973. I was the only sucker of a veterinarian that Joe Redington convinced to go along on the first race. So I went along as the only veterinarian, spent 35 days out on the trail, and didn’t realize it was going to become a way of life for me. Memorable work.

What was one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences?

 One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was the year that I ran, 1974, when I ran the first time. I got to Nome with 12 dogs that I’d started with. And no one did that until… Well, I think people did it way back in the standings, but no one did it in the money until, I think, Jesse Royer got to Nome with a whole team. But I had most of my dogs from out of the dog pound And we finished in 19th place, which was a paying position, a couple hundred dollars.

What does the 50th running of the Iditarod mean to you?

Knowing this is the 50th Iditarod makes me feel surprised because in 1973 we weren’t even sure we could get the first one off, and now here we are looking at 50 and talking about 50 more.

What do you know for sure?:

What I Know in life for sure is, if you cross the finish line in Nome of the Iditarod, it gives you a feeling that you could spit in a Tiger’s eye.