The Iditarod isn’t the only race that takes competitors a thousand miles across Alaska. After the mushers and their dog teams dig in the trail, athletes follow on foot, skis, and fat tire bikes. It’s the Iditarod Trail Invitational, also known as the Iditabike. The long version of the race follows the entire path of the Iditarod, from Anchorage to Nome. The ultramarathon is by invite only. That’s because conditions can be so extreme that organizers want to make sure participants are up to the challenge.
Two-time Iditabike champion and Petersburg Medical Center CEO Phil Hofstetter finished third this year, after more than 18 days on the trail. He sat down with KFSK’s Hannah Flor to talk about why he keeps coming back to the race, and how he deals with the grueling conditions. He says when he’s on the trail, he’s constantly assessing his physical state, making sure he’s getting enough calories and he’s well hydrated.
Hofstetter says that while he doesn’t think he’ll be competing next year, this was definitely not his last Iditabike race.
