HUMAN

Name: Tony Haugen

Age: 63

Residence: Unalakleet, Alaska

Occupation: Retired

Years involved with the Iditarod: Since the first year. And even before that, discussing it with Joe Redington.

Iditarod Roles: I played Checker. Took care of all the dog food and housing in those early years of Iditarod, before I took off for college. We housed many mushers at our home, including past champions, Dick Wilmarth in year one, Martin Buser another year.

Current Location: Unalakleet, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 13, 2022

Temperature: 68F Indoors/ 9F Outdoors

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

I first became involved with the Iditarod, after buying fish one year with Joe Redington. Prior to the start of Iditarod we discussed this one here. And as it began, those first years, we housed many of the mushers. I took care of all the dog food, plate checker, and even reported for KICY while still in high school.

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

I am here today and involved with the Iditarod because it’s something that I’ve come to enjoy. I actually started to run dogs too. Never ran the Iditarod, but Norman Vaughan told me everybody should run the Iditarod at least once. And of course I asked him then “How old are you?” He said “84.” He says, “You could run there Iditarod at 84.” I’ve got 50 some good years of training left. Unfortunately right now I only have one dog and it’s not a leaders swing or a team dog, but a wheel dog.

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

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was going up the trail to meet my good friend Martin Buser. And we did that numerous years. I was fortunate to actually watch the start of the ceremony. Start in Anchorage, the restart in the Valley, catch the Iditarod here in Unalakleet, and actually was at the finish line in Nome, to catch the lead musher in.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is this race will go on. Just like in the movie Titanic. I think that one of those lines in there was, “It’ll go on.” Certainly this year race will continue. It’ll continue well beyond… My father was involved in the Iditarod as well, and he certainly enjoyed it. We know the legacy of Joe Redington will live on.