The month of March does not belong exclusively to college basketball, and the madness that it entails. There are other sports happening. There are baseballs' Spring Training camps. Professional Hockey and Basketball are rushing into their playoff spots. Also each March there is one really long, and really cold, race held. An Alaskan race that traces its roots back to 1925. A one of a kind race called "The Iditarod."

In the early days it was a race of a different sort. It was a race against the clock for those people dying from diseases. At that time mostly diphtheria. The only reliable method to reach the remote parts of Alaska in winter required the most fit humans and dogs. It also called for a sled. Then teams travelling with the needed medicine would cover over 1,000 miles of wintry peril. Those that led these teams of dogs in often the worst conditions were called "mushers". To many small towns along their route they were also called Alaska's Angels.

It was from that time that today's March Iditarod race began. A 1,152-mile dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome Alaska. It is only for the strong of body and spirit, be that human or dog that the race belonged. It was not long before the participants and fans followed.

Susan Howlet Butcher was born in Boston, Mass. the day after Christmas in 1954. Perhaps being a winter baby helped set the course for her future. At a young age she yearned for the wilderness. At the age of 20 she set out to make a life for herself in Alaska. One of the things she took with her was a lifelong love for animals. Though she once aspired to be a studying veterinarian student, it was just too much time inside for her liking. So in Alaska she worked for a veterinarian and took an interest in sledding.

The first step was dogs, and spending lots of time with them. A natural for her as she seemed to embrace the wilderness of Alaska as much as the dogs. Many of them being Alaskan Malamutes whom are known for their canine ability in dog sledding races. It was only a matter of time before she entered races. Not long after she started winning. In time her exploits became part of the Alaskan folklore.

Some of her accomplishments that make her one of a kind are foremost the Iditarod race. For fifteen races she placed in the top ten. More importantly she has earned the number one spot four times. Three of them in a row and nobody else has done that. Her years of winning it all are 1986, 87, 88 and 90.

Susan was the first and only one to reach the 20,230 foot summit of Mt. McKinley with a team of dogs.

In 1988 she was inducted into the Washington, DC Academy Of Achievement – Museum of Living History.

Along the way she has been featured on ABC Sports, PBS, The Today Show and Good Morning America. She also met, and married, fellow sledder Dave Monson. Between the two of them they have run in and won almost every major dog sled race worldwide. They also became business partners, and happier yet, parents.

Today Susan, and family, are the owners of Trailbreaker Kennels, a dog breeding business, in a remote area of Eureka, Alaska. At any given time a hundred or more dogs may be there. Trailbreaker employs several young people, who like Susan, love animals. In addition Susan promotes sportswear and photographs of the Alaska area. She is also sought after to give motivational speeches.

In her talks Susan often mentions one Iditarod race she did not finish. It seems a mixed up moose thought it best to attack her and the team of dogs. Susan did not back down, and was not hurt. In time another race competitor showed up and shot the moose. Sadly the moose trampled a couple of her dogs, and the race was over that year. However, that did not stop her dream for the following year. Nor for all the years that have followed.

For more information on Susan, and her passion and work, try contacting Trailbreaker Kennels, Fairbanks, AK. Or e-mail at Sbutcher@Trailbreaker.alaska.com.

Photos courtesy of Trailbreaker Kennels