Q&A with 2021 Junior Iditarod champion

WASILLA — Morgan Martens won the 2021 Junior Iditarod. The 14-year-old musher from Brule, Wisconsin was the only out of state participant in this year’s race, taking first place with Anchorage’s Kristal Hanson and Wasilla’s Anna Coke right on his tail.

Below is a question and answer interview with Martens discussing the race, his experience handling dogs, and what mushing means to him.

Q: How do you feel about winning the Junior Iditarod?

“It’s pretty unbelievable. It was an experience I thought I would never have. It’s a dream come true.”

Q: How many times have you done this?

“This was my first year.”

Q: How long have you been mushing?

“Ever since I could walk. I have a recreational team of dogs. I’ve never run with a professional dog team… This was pretty amazing.”

Q: You were using Ryan Redington’s team, what was it like being taken under his wing?

“It was amazing. He is a really great teacher and mentor. He has lots of patience.”

Q: Now that you have the Junior Iditarod under your belt, what are your plans for the future?

“We’re gonna do the Beargrease next year with our own dogs. We were planning on doing it this year, but we had to scratch at the last minute, a day before the race actually because of COVID.”

Q: Do you have plans to run the Iditarod?

“Yeah. I can get a sponsorship with somebody, and they’ll let me train their dogs and all of that. I’d love to do that.”

Q: Is your whole family involved in mushing?

“My mom is, and my sister. My dad, he doesn’t mush but he supports us… I had a lab named Buttercup. She pulled me around on a sled when I was 2 years old.”

Q: How did you get into it?

“We just had all of our dogs and we went to a race. It was the Beargrease Cub Race. I guess I was hooked from then.”

Q: What are some of your favorite things about mushing?

“Probably being out there with the dogs, just taking care of them; and just being in the wilderness all by yourself… You’re all on your own. It was definitely an adventure. It was very eye opening.”

Q: Have you always loved animals?

“Yeah. We have 22 dogs at home and four horses. So, dog mushing in the winter, horseback riding in the summer.”

Q: What do you think helped you perform so well during the Junior Iditarod?

“Probably training… and being with the dogs and knowing them, getting them to know me… Another big thing is staying in shape. I ran cross country, basketball, and track. It was good to be in shape for the race.”

Q: What are some of the big lessons you’ve taken away from mushing?

“Putting somebody else’s needs in front of yours.”

Q: What’s some of your favorite things about Alaska?

“I thought the mountains were pretty cool. We got to see Denali, which was pretty cool.”

Q: Do you plan to run the Junior Iditarod next year?

“There’s a chance I do, and there’s a chance I don’t. I’ll be there for the Iditarod start next year. The winner of the Junior Iditarod gets to start the Iditarod, so I’m looking forward to that.”

For more information about the 2021 Junior Iditarod results and mushers, visit jriditarod.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com