H Conner Thomas, Nome, Alaska Conner grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was born in 1951. After his graduation from law school in 1977, he headed to Alaska as a VISTA volunteer with Alaska Legal Services Corporation. He moved to Nome the next year and became interested in mushing, however, he didn’t actually begin working with dogs until 1980. He says he loves running dogs and generally enjoys traveling and camping with the dogs more than racing them, but he admits the effort and focus required by racing can be fun. "It is enjoyable to think only about the dogs, competitors, weather, and trail conditions for an extended period of time," says Conner. He ran his first Iditarod on the southern route in 1989 and looks forward to running the northern route in 1996. In addition to the 1989 Iditarod, Conner has also run the Yukon Quest and other mid distance races in Alaska. He has been employed by the law firm of Larson, Timbers & VanWinkle for the last 18 years. He is a member of the Alaska Civil Liberties Union and the Nome Kennel Club. He is married and has no children.

Lori Townsend, Aniak, Alaska Lori Townsend was born in Seattle, Washington on November 15, 1962. Her husband. Rick ran the Iditarod twice and had to scratch both times because "he could not sleep." So Lori feels that one of them needs to "get our dogs to Nome." Right after Lori finished high school in Minnesota, she and Rick moved to Alaska to operate their fishing guide business. They own and operate the Aniak Air Guides. Lori is the cook and assistant hunting guide. They began mushing while living 60 miles from town when they used the dogs as their only means of transportation She has an impressive record in mid-distance races around the state. They now have 40 dogs mostly from Dean and Tim Osmar breeding, but they have bought some from Jeff King. "I love running the dogs and just being with them. My goal for the Iditarod is to try for Rookie of the Year and of course to finish." Rick and Lori have a daughter, Angela, age seven.