2. Dennis Laboda, Horland, Minnesota; age 50
2008 IPSSSDR: 13th Place
IPSSSDR runs in the Laboda family—Dennis first learned of the race through his brother’s participation. "Sled dogs have been an important part of my life since 1973," he says. "They have taken me to Europe, South America and all over North America. I have had experiences and met people that could fill an action adventure movie. In short, I don’t have the words to describe the experience." Dennis wears many hats in the sled dog world: he has served in official positions including trail boss, race judge, race marshal, race consultant, musher representative and race board member.

3. Debbie Moderow, Denali Park, Alaska; age 54
2009 IPSSSDR: 14th Place
In 1989 The Moderow family adopted a retired Iditarod sled dog and from that moment forward their lives have revolved around their growing team of huskies. In 2000 and 2001 Debbie was delighted to bring the family dog team to IPSSSDR where her children and husband handled for her. In 2002 she handled for her daughter’s IPSSSDR run. When son Andy completed Iditarod as a senior in high school, he challenged his mom to do the same. She went on to run Iditarod in 2003 and 2005. In 2007, Debbie and daughter Hannah drove dog teams from Nenana to Nome as part of the Norman Vaughn Serum Run. Having returned to the IPSSSDR in 2009, Debbie is thrilled to compete in Wyoming again. "There’s just no other race like it," says Debbie.

4. Bruce Magnusson, Manchester, Michigan; age 46
2009 IPSSSDR: 4th Place
Bruce Magnusson, who owns Lincoln Forge in Michigan, began mushing in 2002. Since then he has competed in the Beargrease 150, the Grand Portage Passage, the IPSSSDR and the Midnight Run. He became interested in the IPSSSDR because of the "great format, high level of competition, and Lloyd Gilbertson," Bruce says. "My wife, Monica, and I have been running dogs for seven years. This will be our fourth stage stop—we were only going to race it one time but the people and community have kept us coming back." Bruce’s continued participation in the IPSSSDR comes as no surprise after an inquiry about his hobbies generated the response: "only dogs left."

5. Sam Perrino, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada; age 34
2009 IPSSSDR: 3rd Place
Sam became interested in dog mushing when he was a teenager—he began racing competitively at the age of 14—and started his own kennel when he was 17. Sam has seen a large part of Canada and the U.S. by sled and his standard team includes his wife, Petra, and his son Quinn, whose help is always appreciated at the races. "I have entered the Wyoming Stage Stop 11 times," he says. "The reason I like the IPSSSDR is because of the stage stop format. It keeps it fun for both the musher and dogs while keeping it very competitive." Sam, who lives in a climate where temps can dip to -40 degrees, adds, "We look forward to racing in the warmth of Wyoming." He has run in the Iditarod, Yukon Quest, and Atta Boy 300, in addition to the IPSSSDR.

7. Krista Halsnes, Steamboat Springs, Colorado; age 16
2009 IPSSSDR: 13th Place
Krista Halsnes is a 10th-grader at Steamboat Springs High School who began mushing with two sprint dogs at 9 years old. The hobby (inspired by going on a sled dog tour) eventually grew and grew as the Halsnes' home-bred team of Alaskans evolved into longer distance dogs. The Halsnes' dog team has competed in the IPSSSDR, Green River Classic, Mancos Mush, San Juan Stage Race and various four- to six-mile sprint races. Krista also enjoys riding horses, playing soccer, skiing and adventuring outdoors. "I absolutely love this sport and my dogs are family to me," she says. "Dogsledding is my life's most amazing adventure yet. My greatest thanks to my dad for battling the tough winter conditions to train our team." This will be Krista's second time running the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race.

8. Jerry Bath, Lander, Wyoming; age 51
2009 IPSSSDR: 5th Place
Jerry Bath got started in sled dog racing by watching the first IPSSSDR and helping with the Lander leg. In 2009, Jerry competed with a team of his own. "Last year was the most fun I’ve had in eight days in a long time," Jerry says. "The level of sportsmanship and professionalism was outstanding. Half of my team last year was yearlings so I’m really looking forward to this year’s race. I’m sure I’ll have a couple more yearlings on this year’s team, too. I raise and train all my own dogs and love to watch them mature and change month after month. Father of two sons, Ben, 26, and Rick, 23, Jerry and his wife, Sandy, have lived in Wyoming for 15 years.

10. Mike Barnet; Kanab, Utah; Age 30
IPSSSDR Rookie
Mike Barnet is a tour operator for BOSS. He began mushing in 2006 and has raced in Alaska prior to the IPSSSDR. He is racing a team for Lloyd and Mary Gilbertson.

11. Blayne "Bud" Streeper, Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada; age 27
2004 IPSSSDR: First place
Buddy Streeper is a familiar name in mushing. He is the only musher in sport history to have won the five majors: Laconia, The Pas, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Yellowknife. He won 10 races in 2009, including Canadian Open, Exxon Open, Willow Open, Anchorage, and the Fur Rondy World Championship. Buddy won first place in his first IPSSSDR in 2004.

12. Lina Gladh, Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada; age 25
IPSSSDR: Rookie
Lina Gladh began mushing in 1998. She received 10th place at the 2009 World Championships and 3rd place at 2009 Canadian Open Championship. "I began mushing after working with my cousin Jenny at age 15 in Sweden," says Lina. "I owned and raced 12 dogs and began working with top kennels in 2003. I joined Streeper Kennels in 2006—moved to Canada in 2007. Good luck, fellow mushers!" (Lina is engaged to musher Buddy Streeper.)

13. Aaron Peck, Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada; age 30
2008 IPSSSDR: 7th Place
Aaron is looking forward to his return to the stage stop in 2010. Aaron had a great time in 2008. "Wyoming is hard to beat: the people and the scenery are the best part," says Aaron. "My huskies and I will be ready to take on some of the best teams in the world—can’t wait!" Aaron’s past races include the 2008 IPSSSDR and the 2000 and 2005 Iditarod.

16. Chris Adkins, Sand Coulee, Montana; age 41
IPSSSDR: Rookie
Chris Adkins, a lumber yard worker, has been racing sled dogs since he was four years old, thanks to his dad who got him started. He has run Race to the Sky off and on for 20 years and has received the sportsmanship award. "I’m looking forward to trying the IPSSSDR," says Chris.

18. Barrie Raper, Pinedale, Wyoming; age 35
2001 IPSSSDR: 22nd place
Barrie has been raising, training and racing sled dogs since age 15. She trained her first dog, a St. Bernard-Husky cross named Boomer, to pull her in her Radio Flyer wagon when she was 10. Barrie currently lives and works in Pinedale, Wyo., where she’s also raising her daughter Kasey, now two. "Thankfully Kasey also loves dogs," says Barrie. While juggling many responsibilities, Barrie still finds spending time with her dogs to be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. With her team now well stocked with first class dogs from her training and racing experiences with John Barron in Montana, she looks forward to some exciting racing. The IPSSSDR will be made possible for Barrie with the help and support of her family and co-workers. "Mom has made the first big commitment by writing a check for the entry fee," says Barrie. "She also provides continued support by letting Kasey and me live in her home, and taking care of Kasey when I’m out with the dogs."

19. Kate St-Onge, Millville, Utah; age 48
2008 IPSSSDR: withdrew
Kate is a registered nurse but is currently managing the Galloping Husky Ranch with her husband, Rick, just outside of Logan, Utah. They run dogs in the winter, ride horses in the summer and squeeze in other things "that normal people do" in between. Kate ran the IPSSSDR in 2007 and finished in13th place. In 2008 she entered but scratched after day three. She is looking forward to this year’s race and is appreciative of her husband’s support throughout the race: "I thank Rick for letting me run it again, because he is just dying to do it. I promised him next year will be his turn!" she says. With a successful circuit in the sprint/mid-distance racing class, Kate enjoys the challenges of stage racing.

20. J.R. Anderson, Ray, Minnesota; age 30
2008 IPSSSDR: 8th place
J.R. Anderson is a carpenter and sled builder by trade. He grew up with dogs and began racing at age seven. J.R.’s Husky Creek Kennel, in Ray, Minn., which he owns with his wife, Anna, is home to 60 dogs. "My wife and I love running dogs and being able to do it together," he says. Three years of IPSSSDR participation have affirmed for J.R. that the IPSSSDR is a "great race," and he expresses enthusiasm for the 2008 race and Wyoming’s favorable weather; warm only in comparison to Ray, Minn.