Emily Ford, a 34-year-old woman from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, now living in Duluth, recently achieved something incredible. She spent 13 days guiding her team of sled dogs across Alaska’s Yukon River in her first-ever Iditarod race, one of the toughest dog sled races in the world.
Despite challenges like extreme weather and a longer route than usual, Emily finished an impressive 18th out of 33 racers. Her story is not just about finishing the race — it’s about determination, learning life lessons, and inspiring others to follow their passion.
A Peaceful but Tough Journey
The Iditarod trail this year was 120 miles longer due to low snowfall in parts of Alaska, but that didn’t stop Emily. She described the experience as both physically demanding and peaceful.
“You and the dogs are like one team moving across the land,” she said. “It’s not like driving a machine. The dogs move quietly — it’s almost magical.”
Emily’s deep connection with her dogs and nature helped her push through the challenges of the long and cold journey.
Learning from the Trail
Emily was thrilled just to finish the race, especially since one-third of the mushers dropped out due to injuries or other issues. Simply crossing the finish line meant a lot to her.
She also noticed something important: the top finishers took more rest breaks. From this, she learned a valuable life lesson.
“Take your time. Run your own race. Don’t worry about what others are doing,” she said.
Inspired by Love, Inspiring Others
Emily’s inspiration to run the Iditarod came from her partner, Anna, who completed the race last year. But now, Emily hopes her story will encourage other women, especially those who feel like they don’t belong in such sports, to chase their dreams.
“If you’re passionate about something that feels different or unusual, go for it,” she said. “Find people and resources to support you.”
Emily runs a blog called “Emily on the Trail”, where she shares her outdoor adventures. Her goal is to encourage people of color to enjoy nature and explore the beauty of Minnesota.
“The outdoors is for everybody — and I mean literally everybody,” she said.
Funding the Dream
Running the Iditarod isn’t cheap. Emily said it cost around $50,000 for things like travel, dog food, vet bills, and special gear. She held a fundraiser in Duluth to raise the money. Even though a snowstorm hit on the day of the event, people still showed up to support her, and she reached her goal.
Thanks to her community’s support, Emily was able to chase her dream and complete one of the world’s most difficult dog sled races.
Emily Ford’s journey across Alaska wasn’t just a personal achievement — it was a message to the world. She proved that passion, patience, and support can help you achieve anything, even something as extreme as the Iditarod.
Whether it’s encouraging women to enter the sport or helping more people connect with nature, Emily’s story is full of inspiration. As she continues to share her adventures, she’s opening doors for others who may have never seen themselves on the trail.