Left to Right: Steven Downey-Kameroff of Kotzebue, Bristol Huffman of Kotzebue, Herbert Thomas of Buckland, Dezzi Stewart of Shungnak, James Bourquin of Kotzebue. Not Pictured: Ben Marcus of Kotzebue. Photo by Viva Teal.

Awesome weather, fast trail, great hospitality and food at the checkpoint. Thank you to Ed and Ruth Iten for hosting us at camp! Wonderful people, good company, enjoyed telling stories and being around the campfire. We hope to have more kids from the villages, and whole region in the future.

Bristol Huffman, left, and Steven Downey-Kameroff, right. 2023 Junior 440 Winners. Photo by Viva Teal.

Steven Downey-Kameroff, Ben Marcus and Herbert Thomas on the Front Street ice in Kotzebue

Bristol Huffman and Steven Downey-Kameroff on tandem sled with Hansen Kennel dogs

[...] The main message he had for the children was to believe in themselves, never give up on their dreams and work toward their goals. He shared how this year he ran in his 16th Iditarod. In some of the years before, he had tough times, scratched from the race and needed to reach out to his Elders for advice. Then he would change up his training and keep with it.
"I didn't give up and this year, we won the Iditarod, and I fulfilled my dream of winning the race," he said.

Ryan Redington speaks to students at June Nelson Elementary School on April 5, 2023. Photo provided by Ryan Redington via The Arctic Sounder

Ryan Redington talks about mushing to Ambler youth on April 6, 2023. Photo provided by Ryan Redington via The Arctic Sounder

"From the outside, it's looking like a race but what it is is an awesome network of communities, people getting together and celebrating life in the Arctic, the culture of these villages, and the cultures of dog teams traveling through them," Holmes said. "It is so rewarding to come here for connection with these people in this region that are just extremely generous and kind and caring and passionate — and like just about the same things that I do.
"That's what the race is really about, you know. That's why it keeps going."