Harry Caldwell, Knik, Alaska Harry Caldwell, 42, was born in Virginia and raised in California. He worked as a paramedic, respiratory therapist and commercial diver/fisherman. As a member of the naval special warfare community, he was crossed assigned to the USMCR, 4th Force Recon., Nevada. There he developed a strong background and love for cold weather. So, he and his wife, Barbara, moved to Alaska in 1989 where they could "enjoy a northern life-style." Harry is now employed as a respiratory therapist for Providence Alaska Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit. He is also the senior corpsman for "E" Company, 4th Recon Bn., USMCR, AKA Alaska Marines. Harry has finished the last three Iditarods, placing 51st, 44th and 25th. He won the 1995 Iditarod Sterling Achievement Award. He & his family maintain a small kennel of about 30 dogs in Knik, Alaska.

Rob Carss, Cochrane, Alberta Born in 1961 in Saskatchewan, Rob Carss now makes his home in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, 45 minutes northwest of Calgary. He received his B.S. degree in geology and began working for Anderson Exploration Ltd., a major oil and gas company, where he’s been for the last 10 years. Rob began mushing in 1989. He started in sprint mushing and switched to mid distance racing in 1991. He ran the innaugural Gold Rush Classic in Quesnel, British Columbia, in 1995. He and his wife, Jane, own and operate Mad Dawg Kennels and Mad Dawg Supplies. Mad Dawg Kennels is working in conjunction with Rick Newton’s Snowbound Kennels of Ashton, Idaho, and together they have assembled "an amazing group of canine athletes to reach our goals for the upcoming racing season." Rob will be running the several races this winter and Jane will be the support crew, along with a few willing friends. Rob and Jane have no children. Rob lists his hobbies as mountain biking, dogs...anything to do with sled dogs.

Bill Cotter, Nenana, Alaska Forty-nine year old Bill Cotter came to Alaska in 1970 to see the country and never left. Originally from New Hampshire, Bill was used to snow conditions but never mushed dogs until 1972. He was a volunteer during the very first Iditarod in 1973. Over the last 22 years, Bill, a past Yukon Quest champion, has raced in every major race in Alaska. He has competed in 10 Iditarod races. His best finish was third in 1995. He received the coveted Alaska Airlines Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award in 1994. Bill is self employed as a kennel owner. His hobbies include running, fishing and wilderness trips. Bill is married and has one grown daughter.