Isaac Teaford grew up around Salt Lake City, Utah and moved to Alaska.
He has worked for Dallas Seavey’s kennel in Talkeetna for the past few years and has also handled for Kelly Maixner.
This year Isaac gets the chance to experience the Iditarod for himself.
What is your full name?
Isaac Kevin Teaford
Do you have a nickname?
Most people call me Isaac, but my family sometimes calls me Ike
Do you have a kennel name?
I work at Dallas Seavey Racing Kennel
How old are you?
30 years old
Where were you brought up?
Mostly around Salt Lake City, Utah
Where do you live now?
Talkeetna Alaska
How many sled dogs do you own?
I own 2 myself, but they are retired. At the kennel I work with about 130 Alaskan huskies!
How long have you owned sled dogs?
I started working with sled dogs in 2019.
What races have you competed in?
I have raced in the ace race, Ididn’trod 200, Knik 200, Willow 300, and the Summit Quest 300
What’s your greatest achievement so far?
I was extremely proud of how well my team did in the Quest 300! We were able to finish in second and that was definitely a highlight of my time racing.
Has it always been a dream to run the Iditarod?
I’ve always been fascinated with arctic culture and just the northern lifestyle in general since I was a kid. Running Iditarod didn’t cross my mind as something I could do someday until I moved to Alaska in 2017. That’s when the seed was officially planted!
What made you decide that 2024 would be the year to sign up for the race?
I finished my last qualifier in February last year and I signed up on the first day of sign ups. I feel confident in the training I’ve received and I’m excited to hit the trail this March!
What can you tell me about your team?
I’ll be racing with mostly 2 and 3 year olds but I will have a few older previous champions. This will be the first Iditarod for these younger guys but they have already shown me that they will be an incredible team after last year’s training!
Do you have a website?
sleddogtours.com
Do you have sponsors?
I’m still working on those!
Do you have your own merch?
No
Do you look up to a specific musher?
I have learned valuable life lessons and better ways to care for my team from every musher that I have spent time with on the trail. With that being said, I definitely look up to my main mushing mentor, Dallas Seavey. He has taught me from day one how to be a good dog musher.
Have you handled for a Veteran musher in the past?
Dallas Seavey
Have you won any awards during a race?
Red Lantern in the Knik 200. I was proud of that finish and very proud of my team for being able to travel so efficiently in that incredible storm we were in.
What’s your fastest finish time in a race?
2 days and 8 hrs in the Quest 300.
How are you preparing for your first Iditarod?
I have been trail running and swimming quite a bit to physically prepare. I also spend a good amount of time reading. any books on Iditarod history or sled dog physiology I am all about it!
What do you think you can expect from the Iditarod?
A grand adventure and a deeper appreciation for this beautiful land I call home!
What’s the best advice you have received regarding mushing?
Keep the slippery side down
Who gave you that advice?
Dallas Seavey
Are you from a mushing background?
No
Do you have any friends who are also dog mushers?
I would say most of my friends these days are dog mushers.
What do you think of last year’s Rookie of the Year Eddie Burke jr?
I’ve shared the trail with Eddie in a couple races and he is a nice guy! He is very competitive and fun to see on the trail!
Is there a certain part of the Iditarod trail you are looking forward to? Like maybe the beautiful scenery from the Yukon River or the food from Takotna checkpoint?
I’m excited for the whole trail to be honest, but I’m excited for the Alaska Range including the gorge and the coast. It’s going to be totally different then what I’m used to mushing in.
Is there any part of the Iditarod trail you are nervous about like the Bering sea coast or the Steps?
Not particularly. I try not to worry about anything until I’m in it. I haven’t found a challenge I haven’t been able to overcome with my dogs yet. One foot after the other. Forward progress is always forward progress.
What kind of things do you like to do?
I love to play my trumpet, backpacking, fishing, climbing (mountain rock, ice) packrafting and anything on the water really!
What is your favourite food?
I love a good steak
What is your favourite drink?
These days, I’ve been enjoying maté
What’s your favourite music?
I love funk music especially when I’m on the runners
What’s your favourite film?
The Hunt for Red October
What’s your favourite book?
Make Prayers to the Raven
What’s your favourite pastime?
Reading a book in a hammock by my cabin.
What’s your favourite city?
Innsbruck, Austria
What’s your favourite item of clothing?
My beav hat for sure
Do you have a lucky charm?
My .41 Mag seems to be pretty lucky! Haha
Thank you to Isaac for taking time to answer our questions in the Meet the Rookie series.
We wish him the best of luck in the 2024 Iditarod.
You can follow his race on the Iditarod website.
