HUMAN

Name: Trine Lyrek

Age: 49

Residence: Alta, Norway

Occupation: Business owner. I own a corporation with dogs, sled dogs. So I take guests out on trips about every day, so I’m a guide.

Years involved with the Iditarod: Since 1994

Iditarod Role: Today I’m just a handler, or I’m Hanna’s mom. I’m waiting for her in Nome.

Current Location: Nome, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 16, 2022

Temperature: 3F Outdoors/68F Indoors at Iditarod Headquarters

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

I got involved in the Iditarod in ’94. I was a handler for Jeff King that year ’94-95, and my husband-to-be ran the race in ’95. So I came to Nome for the first time and watched him finish. I had a break. I lived in Norway for some years and I moved back to Alaska in ’98. And in 2005, my biggest dream came true and that was, of course, to run this race. So I finished with Jeff. I ran Jeff King’s dogs that year and they finished in the middle of the pack and it was an amazing achievement to do. And I just love the trail. Since that, I’ve been living in Norway, but now I’m back for the race this year.

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

Today I’m here in Nome to wait for my daughter, Hanna Lyrek, that’s finishing tonight, we hope. And that is a just amazing thing. She’s doing great on the trail. I haven’t talked to her, but we are very excited to hopefully see her tonight here.

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

My most memorable experience was when I finished the race and Hanna and Emma, my other daughter, was standing on the finish line waiting for me, like 4:00 in the morning. But I do think, no, I cry, but I do think this will be the biggest memory of the race when I can stay here in Nome, watch Hanna cross the finish line tonight. I haven’t been there yet, but I know just now and I’m thinking about it, that would be, will be the biggest memory of this race.

What in life do you know for sure?

Well, I know for sure, life is short. You just have to do what you have to do. And this has been Hanna’s dream for a long time to run the Iditarod. And when she was ready to do it, I told her just go and do it because it’s just so amazing. So whatever, it’s your goal in life? Just do it. Don’t wait.