From the back of the pack, one musher is "Winning the Iditarod"

March 22, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

Ask any finisher of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and they'll tell you that while they may not be a race champion, they certainly are a winner for completing the grueling, 1,100-mile race.

Under that premise, the natural title for Knik musher G.B. Jones' new book is "Winning the Iditarod." Jones, who finished in the back of the pack in both 2002 and 2004 and scratched in 2003 and in this year's race, epitomizes that philosophy.

He pours his heart and soul into the race - not to mention his money - and he isn't under the illusion that someday he'll be the first to Nome. It would be nice, but it probably isn't realistic.

But just being out on the Iditarod Trail with his trusted canine companions makes him a winner, much like a good majority of all Iditarod mushers who run the race for the same reason Jones does - it's a dream realized.

"When you finish the race in Nome, you feel like you just won it," Jones said. "That's why we do it."

"Winning the Iditarod" wasn't meant to be a book, Jones said. While he dreams of Iditarod every year, the dream of becoming an author never entered Jones' head, he said.

"Once I get back off the trail, I usually write every day or so on my Web site, kind of a way my supporters can see how me and the dogs are doing," Jones said. "I feel like I owe that to my supporters. One of them said it should be a book, and they contacted Tony Russ, and one thing led to another and now I've written a book. I never really intended to do it, though."

Tony Russ owns Northern Publishing, which has put out a number of Alaska title, most of which are hunting related. But nothing says "Alaska" quite like the Iditarod.

"G.B.'s race results do not seem that impressive to some race followers … although his finishing places have not been outstanding, his finishing of two Iditarods are personal successes," Russ writes in the book's foreword. "He runs his own race with his personal goals in mind, and this attitude comes through to Iditarod fans who follow G.B.'s personal race. In G.B.'s mind, a finish means he has won his personal race."

Jones said that so far, the reaction to the book has been "very favorable."

The book isn't a manual on how to win the race, but rather an inside look at the race in the back of the pack, where some of the best stories turn up during the race. The book takes you through G.B.'s 2004 race, from the beginning to the very end, in Nome, where chaos meets the mushers. He finished in 76th place, just 12 minutes ahead of the Red Lantern winner, but accomplishing his goals mean more to Jones than anything else, and that feeling truly comes through in the book.

This year, Jones didn't enjoy as much success. A handful of problems surfaced even before he left Willow, and ultimately, he scratched in Skwentna.

"Maybe next year I'll write, 'Losing the Iditarod,'" he joked. "But I'll be back. I feel like I owe it to my supporters to give them a better a showing than this year. I'll come back stronger."

That kind of attitude has made Jones a favorite among many race fans.

The Iditarod is in his blood, and it's hard to imagine Jones not attempting the race. It's even in his blood during the summer - when the Iditarod signups are held each summer, Jones can be found camping out at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters on Knik-Goose Bay Road at least a week prior. Why? So he can be the first person to sign up for the race.

If you happen to catch Jones at ITC during that week, you're in for a great time. Chances are you'll get to see the Grateful Sled, his trusty sled that has been signed by hundreds of people, and you'll get to meet a dog or two. You'll also walk away feeling like you made a friend.

"If you do have any opportunity to meet G.B., don't pass it up. He will greet you with a hearty, arm-pumping handshake, a warm hello, and a genuine smile," Russ writes in the book. "Personal stories about mushers abound on the trail of Iditarod glory. G.B.'s in one you should experience firsthand."

The book is available in bookstores and at Carrs/Safeway and Wal-Mart, Jones said.

"I never dreamed of writing a book," he said. "It's weird when you see your book in the store."

For more information about Jones and his Iditarod stories, people can visit Jones' Web site at www.alaskanmusher.com.