HUMAN

Name: Tom Vaden

Age: 73

Residence: Nome, Alaska

Occupation: An EMT, emergency manager, property manager, big game guide.

Years involved with the Iditarod: Since 2007

Iditarod Role: Checker, timer, and what we do is we time the end of the race, and then make sure the mushers have everything in their sleds.

Current Location: Nome, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 15, 2022

Temperature: 30F Outdoors & 68F Indoors at Iditarod Headquarters

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

I first became involved with Iditarod in 2007, when I got asked to assist as a volunteer with checker, timers, through Rotary. One of the guys said, “We’re looking for volunteers to help us do checker, timing.”

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

Because I like doing it. I’m a citizen of Nome, and I think the citizens of Nome should help support Iditarod. Nome has a long history of dogsled racing, and we started in 1908 with the All Alaska Sweepstakes, and that’s progressed from there.

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

Working a search and rescue with some of the people from between Nome and Topkok, there’s a big blow hole there, and people get stuck.

What in life do you know for sure?

That every day the sun comes up, and every day’s a brand new day, and you need to make most of it.