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The Iditarod dogsled race begins this Saturday in Anchorage, Alaska and spans 1,100 miles. 27-year-old Newton Marshall is among the 70 entrants and will represent his home country, Jamaica. Marshall used to train in Jamaica on a wheeled sled pulled by stray dogs from the local shelter. He now trains in Alaska with world-class sled dogs.
Singer Jimmy Buffett is among Marshall’s strongest supporters. “He’s absolutely a hero to kids in Jamaica,” Buffett said.
Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurants are key sponsors for Marshall’s dog-sled team, and the famed songwriter says he did not hesitate to back Marshall after learning of his story. Buffett first heard of the Jamaican after meeting Danny Melville, who runs a family-owned tour business in Jamaica where Marshall was employed as a guide.
“I thought from the beginning it was just very cool what he was doing,” Buffett said. “I thought it was so far out there, but it made people smile when they heard about it.”
Marshall competed in the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest in 2009, becoming the first Jamaican to finish that race. Link -via Fark
(image credit: Eppo Eerkes)
Neatorama reader Mark Schuette told us of his invention: a new mode of transportation powered by … dogs!
Though dog mushing is an old sport, Mark’s new twist lets you have your own urban Iditarod on a dog-powered scooter, trike, or skateboard.
Link – Thanks Mark!
Hey, it’s a win-win scenario. It’s exercise for the dogs and fun for you (Better than this form of doggie exercise!)
