By Joy Davis, Educational Journalist, IN
Carrying on a family tradition, Michael Williams, Jr. will be racing in the 2010 Iditarod. Mike, Jr. is a Yupik Eskimo who lives in Akiak, Alaska. “In one of my first memories of running dogs, I was sitting in the sled with my father, Mike Sr., on a training run. I was no taller than the cross brace beneath the handlebars of the sled.” He said, “I’ve always been interested in racing and running sled dogs, it is what I’ve dreamed about since I could remember…racing, mushing, and being out on the trail.”
Over the years, Mike, Jr. has helped his father and uncles with the dogs. He started following the races and learning about the mushers. He was fascinated with the training methods of George Attla, Jeff King, Martin Buser, Rick Swenson, Emmit Peters ‘the Yukon fox,’ Egel Ellis, and the Streepers. Mike, Jr. has been mentored by his father, his uncle-Willie Ekamrak and Bill Eisenbart. They have all given his good advice. Basically, it is to take care of the dogs and they will take care of you.
His qualifying races included the Kusko 300 and the Kobuk 440. Mike, Jr. has also gained experience by running several mid-distance races in rural Alaska. He loves to be with the dogs in the wide open beauty of Alaska.
The details of the race preparation are time consuming. There are items to get ready for the drops at each checkpoint including food (for the dogs as well as himself), booties, dogcoats, etc. There are sponsors to obtain to help defray the costs involved with the race. All of these features are new to a rookie.
Mike, Jr.’s hobbies of woodworking, fishing, and camping will play important roles in his training. He said, “I set a net year round to feed the dogs. During the winter we set a net and some fish traps underneath the ice. During the summer we hang dry fish, slabs, and backbones.”
Motivation and inspiration are provided by the drive and determination to overcome obstacles and adversity. Mike, Jr.’s goal is to finish the Iditarod with healthy dogs. He said of the Iditarod, “It’s a race and running dogs. What could be more fun than to race both day and night across Alaska?”
Mike, Jr. has a positive attitude that will take him far in life. We are going to see good things from this young man.
