Justin Olnes is competing in his first Iditarod and is running a team that is made-up of several dogs from the local Fairbanks-area shelters. He spent some time with us recently on our podcast. In the heart of Alaska, where the air is crisp and the vast wilderness stirs with the magic of mushing, there lies a tale of a musher and his journey. Picture this: a young musher, eyes bright with admiration, recalls his original mentor, Knut—an extraordinary figure known for his unparalleled bond with a team of spirited sled dogs. Together, they became a symbiotic force on the rugged trails of the wilderness, moving as one. With no trail needed, their connection was deeper than mere command; it was instinct, trust, and freedom.
Fast forward to 2022, when the world seemed to spin into chaos as he supported his beloved wife, Kailyn, in her pursuit of the Iditarod. It was nothing short of insanity. Their plans to train with famed musher Wade Mars in Willow unraveled as they found themselves uprooted and moving to Wisconsin, leaving behind a tent full of aspirations. Wade, in a show of camaraderie, offered to leave behind 14 vigorous dogs—however, urgency gripped them, and they scrambled for training grounds.
With the help of the steadfast Christine Roalafs, they claimed a piece of land north of Fairbanks. But the property was raw, unrefined—devoid of a dog yard, trails, and warmth. As winter swept in, painting the landscape white, they hustled to erect posts and carve a path through the snow. For three long months, they huddled around a portable kerosene heater in a cabin with only half a heart—that is, only half of it was warmed against the chill.
As Christmas approached, the wild Alaskan weather unleashed its fury. A monster blizzard blanketed the area, piling two feet of snow, followed by rain, only to be smothered again by another foot of white. The mighty moose became lost in a maze of destruction, clinging to the remnants of the trails that had once been their home, making every training run a hair-raising adventure.
Amidst the chaos, laughter bubbled in the little cabin. With each absurd twist and challenge, they pressed on and eventually stood at the starting line, hands tightly squeezed together in shared anticipation. Kailyn launched forward into her Iditarod journey, every stride fueled by love and determination.
As this musher reflects on accomplishments, he reflects on the pride that swelled inside him when he earned the red lantern at the Yukon Quest 200—a symbol of perseverance against the odds. Their kennel glistened with accolades, including a mentorship award at the 2024 T-Dog 110, celebrated for nurturing the next generation of passionate mushers.
Every race, every dog, leads him to speak fondly of the Copper Basin 300. It’s become a cherished tradition for him and Kailyn—a true testament to their love for mushing, perfectly balanced with their bustling lives. The race, challenging yet intimate, draws veterans and novices alike—creating a community sewn together by shared experiences and laughter.
As he prepares for his first Iditarod, help comes from Kailyn, the heart of their operation. Together, they plot out plans underneath the vast Alaskan sky. They know that by setting in motion a trusted routine early on, freedom will blossom in the fall, allowing every moment to be spent with the incredible dogs they cherish.
In his heart, he knows that the Iditarod represents more than just a race—it’s the greatest adventure of his life—a thrilling journey into the wild, where every breath is an echo of the landscape, and every moment together is woven into the fabric of his dreams.