Amanda otto turned her love of love training dogs and challenges in the outdoors into a mushing career. She is a two-time Iditarod finisher, and competed in the Yukon Quest 550, Copper Basin, Willow, Knik 200, Alpine 200, Solstice, and Yukon Quest 200. Her awards include 8th in Iditarod 2024, 2nd Yukon Quest 550 2023 (and 2-time Humanitarian Award). Otto will be running a team belonging to Jessie Holmes and her lead dog  is Fossil. Of the 2025 Kobuk 440, Otto said “I'm looking forward to traversing some new territory with a beautiful team of dogs. Friends and Family. I'd like to take thank Jessie for entrusting me with his team and the opportunity to run the Kobuk 440!”