WILLOW, Alaska — Matthew Failor and his Alaskan Husky Adventures 17th-Dog Team will not ride alone on the 1,128-mile journey from Fairbanks to Nome.
Thoughts, prayers and well wishes from throughout Mansfield, north central and beyond will accompany the Mansfield native in the 2025 Iditarod Sled Dog Race across the wide expanse of Alaska.
It will be the 14th Iditarod for the 42-year-old St. Peter’s High School graduate, competing with a 16-dog team in the 53rd version of “The Last Great Race.”
Richland Source is again covering Failor’s efforts, from start to finish, with deep daily dives using information gleaned from Iditarod.com Insider, as well as from Failor himself along the trail.
As part of that coverage, the independent, local news organization invited fans to email notes of support to their favorite dog musher.
The response was gratifying. More than 40 respondents took a few minutes to express their support.
Failor said he was grateful for the support from his hometown.
“I feel very fortunate and blessed to be from Mansfield, Ohio. It’s a wonderful place in an amazing state,” he said Sunday.
“The support and kind words of encouragement help fuel the dogs and I down the trail! I am proud to be from Mansfield and proud to be a Buckeye! Thank you all for being ‘The 17th-Dog!” he said.
Here is what residents said in their messages, which have been forwarded to Failor, his wife, Liz, and son, Theo:
‘Good luck, Matt! Godspeed!’
“Matt – Good Luck! Go at it like a Troop 121 Fire: Big and Hot! The whole Eichinger Family is pulling for you!” — David Eichinger
“God speed! 🙏 So proud of you! You will be in. my thoughts and prayers as you race in your 14th Iditarod. God bless and keep you safe.” — Kathy Yockey
“Good luck, Matt. We were born and raised in Shelby, lived there for over 60 years and moved up to Perrysburg a couple of years ago. Our youngest daughter married a guy from Luckey 11 years ago, and his two best friends, who were in their wedding, are your cousins, Rob and Kyle Failor. We see them from time to time and also your Aunt and Uncle, Karrie and Erv. Small world! Have a great race and stay safe!! We’ll all be keeping track of you thanks to Richland Source and the great reporting of Carl Hunnell!” — Bob & Viki Deruy
“What fun it is for us to be closely following you on your race. You are a wonderful example of perseverance. St. Peter’s is cheering you on.” — John Heringhaus
“Wishing you and your team the best of luck, health, and safety on the Iditarod and throughout the year. I see your mom and dad in Mansfield. All of Mansfield is behind you and following your exploits—an exciting life. We are coming to Alaska in August with the rest of the tourists to see the Great State of Alaska.” — David Falquette
“Matt, praying that you and your team stay safe and enjoy your 14th Iditarod. We love following your journeys and are proud of all your accomplishments.” — Marvin and Joan Ellis
“Wishing you and your team a fantastic race!!!! Go team!!!!” — Penny Rempfer
“Safe travels, my friend! Be careful and have fun! Love ya!” — Sandy Overholt
“Hey Matt! Sending you all the best of luck from here in Mansfield! Everyone is excited to cheer you on and follow the race!” — Jay and Amy Allred
“We are rooting for you from Minnesota! Have a great race!” — Deedee Nadeau
“So awesome someone from our little corner is doing something this cool! Good luck to you and your team. You’ve got people cheering you on even if you don’t know us!” — Kathy Russell
“Safe journey and happy trails to you and your team—it’s been an honor and a privilege to meet you and your family, both the two- and four-legged. Lots of love from VA!” — Bridget Neace
“We are with you!! Thank you for always making the important things important. You are a great example to the students of Malabar. We will be watching again!! Go Matthew!!!” — Dawn Cole
“Matthew, my wife Marilyn Mott, is a ‘71 grad of St. Pete’s, our youngest son, Matthew, is an Eagle Scout and I knew your father as AD since I umpired numerous softball games for the Spartans. I feel like I know you—so very best of luck in the race.” — Ken Young
“Here’s 4 thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 from two currently dogless dog lovers. 🐾 Go Matt and team!” — Diane Lee-Smith
“Hi Matt! I once had the opportunity to move to Nome, Alaska, but God had other plans for me and changed my path. Soon afterwards, I married and we now share 10 children, sort of like having our own ‘pack’ if you will. I used to breed and raise Huskies here outside of Butler, Ohio just a few miles south of where you were raised. My father’s family founded Butler. I have a good friend, Larry Smithhisler, originally from Butler, who spent many years in Nome. He still has family there. Our family will be following your race journey season like always! God speed & safe mushing for you & your team!” — Toni Arnold
“Matthew, making us a part of your adventure is special and warms our hearts. We love you and Liz and the family you have made. You may live far from us, but your spirit is with us every minute. God bless you.” — Tim and Cheryl Failor
“Wishing you a very successful Iditarod! Being a St. Peter’s graduate I knew some of your family. Very nice people 😋 Prayers and good wishes for your success!” — Lydia Reid
“Hi Matt. I live in South Carolina now, but I want you to know that I’m still rooting for you and your team to have a great race! I’d love to see you have your best finish ever, and will be keeping track of you along the way. May God bless you, Liz, Theo and all your team!” — Jim McClead
“Thanks, Matt, for your love of the dogs and your empathy towards others. I lived in Alaska for 22 years (I was born & raised in Akron, Ohio, and was a photojournalist for about 10 years before moving to AK). I met Joe Redington Sr. my first summer up North (1987), and that began my 30-plus years with sled dogs. I had a recreational team of 12 made up of dogs mostly from Iditarod kennels. I wanted to run dogs but also wanted to give these dogs a good rest of their lives. Anyway, thanks for being one of the ‘good guys!’ As I type this, I’m headed up to follow Iditarod this year!!” — Rebecca Knight
“Best of Luck to you and your team! May the Lord watch over each of you.” — Wendy Jackson
“Best wishes to you and your dogs! I’ve been following you for several years now and truly enjoy reading about you, your family, and your races. Be safe!” — Stephanie Lentz
“Best of luck, Matt! Safe travels! — Your 17th dog” — Russ Croteau
“All our family’s best wishes to you and your team for a safe and prosperous race.” — John Valentine
“I’ve always known you were something special. What a privilege to cheer you on as you and your team run another great race! (I can’t help but wonder if you pack toothbrush and floss!?) Sending prayers for your strength, health, safety and perseverance! MUSH!” — Linda “Flossie” Mills
“I’ve followed you for a few years, and after meeting you last night I now know why. Thanks for sharing your story, and I’ll be rooting for you the whole way to Nome! Such a good man you are. Safe travels to you and your team.” — Lynda Rodig
“Matt, the Wicker family in Willow, as well as Mansfield, are cheering you on to victory. It was a pleasure to meet you in person last year, and we will certainly visit you when we are in Willow again. Praying for safe travels, cold weather, cloudy skies, healthy dogs, and the wind at your back. You are a champion already, and we are proud to know you. God speed!” — Rhonda Wicker
“Good luck, Matt.” — Wayne Weirick
“We will all be thinking and praying for you and your dogs to have a safe race. Best wishes from Mansfield.” — Jim Weist
“Shine on 121….shine on!” — Joe Moritz
“Matt, this message is coming to you from Shelby, Ohio. Best of luck in your race. Whether you win or not, may God be with you.” — Barbara Burky
“Good Luck Matt! I am a 1966 alumni of St. Peter’s and have followed you since you started racing. Be safe and hope you and your pups finish at the top!!” — Joann Burns
“Hi Matt! Best of luck to you! I hope everything falls into place and you get the finish you want!” — Jason Moritz
“It is so awesome to follow you in this age of social media. I’m a friend of your mom & dad from Mansfield. Good luck & safe travels as you embark on this journey!” — Bev Bogantz
“Best of luck to you and your 4-legged athletes! Be safe!!” — Melanie Riggleman
“We are rooting for you! Visited Alaska in fall of 2023 and it was so beautiful. Got to see a sled dog demo and it gave us a great appreciation for what you do. Blessings for a safe and prosperous journey!” — Tom & Karen Mascazzini
“Good luck, Matt! We are rooting for you! Ken, Amanda, Max and Luca.” — Ken Allen
“Safe travels, Matt and Team! Go for it and have fun!” — Janny Nauman
“Matt – it was great to meet you just before the race at the starting line – I and my sons wish you and your loved ones all the best in life. As people who always remain Buckeyes in our heart (even though we have scattered far and wide), we are very much rooting for you and all the good you continue to do in life!” — Mark Spiro
“Matt, what a wonderful way to demonstrate this event to your home town! How special it is that St. Pete’s is getting some focus thanks to you and your special talent & determination. Good luck in competing! I know you have a lot of friends here in Ohio praying for you, including me! Go out there and compete and WIN! Hugs to you & your family!” — Mary Smith
“With admiration and respect. I send you off with this message, “If thoughts are prayers, you’re in good hands.” I’ll be with you all the way to the finish line. A lifetime Michigan, 78 year old woman (Susan) Musher wannabe.” — Susan Chamberlin
(Watch Matthew, Liz and Theo Failor in the ceremonial start to Iditarod 2025 on Saturday in downtown Anchorage, Alaska.)
