Three more Women of the Iditarod

While the leader board has changed again and again over the last 12-plus hours as mushers who have cleared Nikolai make their way in and out of checkpoints at McGrath, Takotna, and Ophir, those who are at the tail end haven't fared nearly so well. I mentioned earlier that Jane Faulkner (22) was running dead last in 66th slot. She and fellow rookie musher Tamra Rose (26) are still sitting at the Rohn checkpoint having arrived there yesterday afternoon. It wouldn't be surprising to see that they and Sam Deltour (66) were soon to scratch.

With that in mind, let's take a look at a few more of the women who are racing in the 38th Iditarod.

Wearing Bib # 26: Tamara Rose

A Rookie musher,

Tamara Rose, 46, was born in Washington and spent most of her life in Northern California. She did her undergraduate work at Humboldt State University, and her graduate work and doctorate of veterinary medicine at UC Davis.
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She currently has her own solo mixed animal practice and is part owner of a bakery in Fairbanks, Alaska.

They are not just her team, they are her patients! I bet they get real good care and return the favor.

Another rookie wearing Bib # 58: Celeste Davis

Celeste Davis, 37, was born and raised in Montana. Her parents are Bill and Liz Smith and she's the fifth out of six kids. "I was the one tagging along and annoying everyone just trying to keep up. When I was really young, the whole family was involved in running dogs in sprint races around Montana and Idaho. When we later moved to Deer Lodge, my father became involved with mid-distance races, which led to less involvement with the family as a whole in the sled dog world." She graduated from Montana State University in 1995 with a nursing degree. Her first job was at the Deer Lodge Hospital and she is still there today.... "...So why not run the Iditarod!!! There isn't anywhere else I would rather be! Freezing, hungry and sleep deprived while loving every minute of it, enjoying it with man's best friend. Everyone should try it, what a privilege."

Davis is currently running 61st but is on the trail out of Rohn and heading to Nikolai.

Leaving Rohn an hour or so ahead of Celeste Davis was yet another rookie, Kathleen Frederick wearing Bib # 46. Kathleen is a former Pennsylvania girl.

Kathleen Frederick was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and spent fifty years in southeastern Pennsylvania before relocating to Juneau, Alaska in 2002 to pursue her passion for outdoors activities. In Pennsylvania, Kathy was a teacher and a librarian before becoming an attorney. Since moving to Alaska, Kathleen has practiced law in Juneau and in the Mat-Su Borough, has served as a mediator for the Alaska Court system....

A single mom who postponed her dream until her kids got out of high school. A former teacher, librarian and currently a lawyer and kennel operator. You wonder how she makes the time to do all that she does!