Project Iditarod The Last Great Race on Earth
ALASKA'S
BEAUTY
We all have dreams. And Tom's dream for many years was to
participate in Alaska's Iditarod Dog Sled Race. This
Race between Anchorage and Nome is over 1,160 miles — a serious
challenge for any competitor, but especially for someone who lives in a non-arctic region.
It is no surprise that each
year fewer than 100 people qualify to run in the Iditarod. This is a
really tough race.
Tom
fulfilled his dream when he
entered the 2007 Iditarod — becoming only the third person from
Ohio ever to compete in this prestegious event. But after a great start
— bad luck, poor weather and a broken sled forced him to withdraw
from the race.
The next year
Tom, more determined than ever, decided to go back to Alaska and take on the 2008 Iditarod.
This took a great amount of determination and sacrifice on the part of Tom and
his wife Brenda and a 16-dog team of Alaskan huskies. But it's a price everyone was willing to pay in pursuit of a
dream.
However, through a series of unfortunate events, Tom was unable to finish the race.
Tom and Brenda kept a daily Journal during the time they were preparing for and
competing in the 2008 Iditarod. It describes in detail all the emotions and behind-the-scenes
work that comes with being a competitor in the most famous Dog Sled Race in the world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tom & Brenda
Roig; 9705 Valley Road; Shreve, Ohio
44676 USA