MANSFIELD — Matthew Failor has crossed the state of Alaska with his sled dog team 14 times in the 1,000-mile Iditarod race.
The St. Peter’s High School graduate will launch his 15th attempt in what’s been dubbed as “The Last Great Race” in March in a new position of leadership.
The Mansfield native has been elected as president of the Iditarod Official Finishers Club, earning a seat on the Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors.
“It was very humbling to be selected as the Iditarod finishers president. I feel honored to represent my peers,” Failor told Richland Source on Saturday.
“It can be a challenging position since there are many living members and all have differing ideas on how they think the Iditarod should be managed and what direction they would like to see the race go.
“It’s my job to best represent the group as a whole. I’ll be sure to keep Joe Redington Sr. and his vision in mind at every board meeting,” Failor said, referencing the man known as the “Father of the Iditarod.”
Failor has finished in the top 15 each of his last three races, including eighth in 2023.
Failor, who operates Alaskan Husky Adventures in Willow, Alaska, with his life, Liz, and their two sons, enters the governance ranks during a transitional period for the 1,000-mile race across Alaska in its 55th year.
With recent leadership changes at the helm of the organization, Failor said financial sustainability will be at the forefront of his agenda.
“We have already seen change at the leadership position and now need to focus on fiscal responsibility, to stay within Iditarod’s budget,” he said.
“I am hoping to work with Iditarod’s finance committee to comb through to see if we can cut and save in any and all areas. Bottom line, I’d like to accomplish a much lower entry fee and a much larger purse.
“The entry fee needs to go down to $2,000 or potentially lower. The purse needs to be at least $1 million. We have a few ideas in mind to help fund raise to bring in new money,” Failor said.
On the board, Failor will serve alongside four-time champion and longtime friend Martin Buser. Failor worked as a handler for Buser.
With Buser’s mentorship, Matt completed his first Iditarod in 2012.
“It feels great to have someone like Martin Buser on the board. Obviously a wealth of knowledge from the dog’s perspective, race perspective, business perspective and all around good guy perspective,” Failor said.
“He is a complete professional and great friend so it’s comforting having one of my best friends in the room,” Failor said.
While committee work will demand attention, Failor’s kennel in Willow is ramping up preparation for the 2027 Iditarod, which begins March 6 in Anchorage.
Failor sat out the 2026 race after the birth of his second, but his team is officially signed up and working toward the starting line.
“Plans for the upcoming racing season are well under way,” Failor said. “We have been, of course, training all the dogs all summer through giving tourists rides at our home. We started slowly bumping up the mileage in September.”
Before taking on the trail to Nome, Failor plans to test the pack in winter competition.
“Currently we are on the waiting list for the Copper Basin 300 and considering tossing our name in the hat for the Kuskokwim 300,” he said.
“Of course Iditarod is the main goal but we need to get the dogs some action in the mid distance races before March.”
Roster decisions will also demand a balance between racing ambitions and business realities.
“We have 32 dogs trying out for the Iditarod team this year,” Failor said.
“I wish every dog could compete for the final 16 spots, but the reality is two-thirds of the kennel need to run tours to make this financially work.
(Below left: Two of Failor’s youngest dogs enjoy September sun in Alaska. Below right: Iditarod veteran finisher Gail Force helps on a trail ride with visitors.) (Credit: Carl Hunnell)
“It is a total team effort from top to bottom, and that includes dogs and humans! There is a lot to do to get a team to Nome, so there is no time to waste. Training never stops,” he said.
Ahead of the grueling winter campaign, Failor extended his appreciation to the kennel’s dedicated support network.
“Thank you to all our boosters and sponsors, as well as our fans!” he said. “Thanks for being the 17th-Dog!”
