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Libby Riddles
Libby Riddles
Libby Riddles
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Liberty Clarissa "Libby" Riddles (born April 1, 1956) is an American dog musher, and the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Riddles was born in Madison, Wisconsin, to Willard and Mary Riddles, and moved to Alaska (from Minnesota; she had been living in St. Joseph while attending Apollo High School in St. Cloud) just before her 17th birthday. She saw a sprint race and fell in love with mushing. Her first race was the Clines Mini Mart Sprint race in 1978, in which she won first place.

Iditarod

[edit]

After finishing 18th and 20th in the 1980 and 1981 Iditarod races, she decided to breed her own sled dogs in order to advance. She moved to Shaktoolik, Alaska, and worked as a fish seller for a short period while training her dogs, then moved to Teller, Alaska, where she met Joe Garnie; they became partners and started breeding and training dogs together.

On March 20, 1985, Riddles won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, becoming the first woman to do so. She wrote three books about her adventures[2][3][4] and also became a professional speaker.[5] In 2007, her Iditarod Trail Race victory was inducted as a "Hall of Fame Moment" into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.[6]

References

[edit]
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Libby Riddles

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Libby Riddles (born April 1, 1956) is an American dog musher and author, best known as the first woman to win the , a grueling 1,049-mile event across , in 1985. Born in , and raised in , Riddles moved to in 1973 at age 17, where she immersed herself in the world of after developing a lifelong affinity for animals and outdoor adventures. By her late teens, she had settled in the remote community of Teller on the , training dogs and competing in local races before tackling the Iditarod for the first time in 1980. Riddles' historic 1985 victory came at age 28, when she completed the race in 18 days, 20 minutes, and 17 seconds, capitalizing on a daring decision to mush through a fierce blizzard across from the Shaktoolik checkpoint while leading competitors, including top musher Rick Swenson, opted to wait out the storm. This bold move not only secured her the $50,000 prize but also shattered gender barriers in the male-dominated sport, inspiring a surge of female participants in subsequent Iditarods and earning her induction into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame in 2009, as well as the inaugural Iditarod Musher Hall of Fame in 2025. Beyond racing, Riddles has contributed to mushing culture as an advocate for and education, authoring the Race Across Alaska: Being the First Woman to Win the in 1987, which chronicles her training, the 1985 race, and the challenges of life in 's bush country. She now spends winters on the breeding and training a small team of sled dogs, participates in smaller races, and shares her expertise through presentations on cruise ships and interviews.

Early Life

Birth and Childhood

Libby Riddles was born on April 1, 1956, in Madison, Wisconsin, to parents Willard and Mary Riddles. Her family relocated from Madison to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where Riddles formed fond childhood memories of the area's bluffs, river, and thunderstorms, before moving again to St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she spent much of her upbringing. As a child, she was notably shy around people outside her close circle but developed a strong affinity for animals, particularly dogs, which she found calming and less complicated than human interactions; she often dreamed of a life as a cowgirl or farmer. Riddles completed high school in and, shortly before her seventeenth birthday in 1973, moved to —a decision that represented a pivotal shift toward greater independence.

Relocation to Alaska

In 1973, shortly before her seventeenth birthday, Libby Riddles moved from to , driven by a desire for adventure and an escape from conventional Midwestern life. Accompanied by her boyfriend Dewey Halverson, she initially settled in a remote cabin near Anchorage, pursuing a lifestyle amid Alaska's untamed landscapes. To support herself, Riddles took on odd jobs, including selling fish in the isolated coastal village of Shaktoolik, a community of roughly 300 residents that immersed her in the stark realities of Alaskan indigenous and culture. The relocation brought immediate hardships, including brutal weather—such as relentless storms and ground blizzards—and profound isolation that tested her endurance daily. These early trials in remote settings like Shaktoolik honed Riddles' resilience and , laying the foundation for her adaptation to Alaska's demanding environment.

Entry into Mushing

Initial Experiences

Libby Riddles began her involvement with in the mid-1970s after moving to , initially drawn to the activity through exposure to local sprint races in remote communities like Shaktoolik. Starting around 1976, she assembled her first small team of dogs, using them practically to support an off-grid lifestyle in the harsh Alaskan wilderness, which helped her develop an early reliance on the animals as working partners. Her learning process was largely self-taught, shaped by hands-on immersion in the local culture rather than formal instruction. Riddles honed essential skills such as handling, proper harness fitting, and basic through trial-and-error on short practice runs and by observing and assisting in nearby kennels. This approach fostered a deep, functional bond with her s, viewing them not just as companions but as vital collaborators in daily survival tasks amid the isolation of rural . To acquire her initial dogs and sled, Riddles relied on earnings from odd jobs in her new environment, including selling fish in small villages, which provided the modest funds needed to build her starter team without external sponsorship. These early efforts, motivated in part by the practical demands of adapting to Alaska's rugged conditions after her relocation, laid the groundwork for her growing expertise before she ventured into organized events.

Early Competitions

Riddles marked her entry into competitive mushing by winning her first race, the Clines Mini Mart Sprint, a short-distance local event held in 1978 near Nome, Alaska. This victory came shortly after her initial hands-on experiences with sled dogs, which had sparked her passion for the sport. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Riddles competed in various regional sprint races around Nome and surrounding areas, gradually honing her skills in team management, stamina building, and navigating challenging Arctic conditions. These shorter events, typically spanning a few miles, served as crucial stepping stones, allowing her to refine her handling of dog teams before tackling longer distances. Her progression led to her rookie entry in the in 1980, where she finished 18th with a time of 16 days, 13 hours, 58 minutes, and 34 seconds, facing significant hurdles such as team fatigue over the grueling 1,000-mile course. The following year, in 1981, she improved slightly to 20th place in 14 days, 6 hours, 27 minutes, and 43 seconds, further exposing her to the endurance demands and logistical complexities of long-distance . These early Iditarod attempts underscored the need for stronger dogs, prompting Riddles around 1981-1982 to begin breeding her own sled dogs in partnership with Joe Garnie after relocating to .

Iditarod Career

1985 Victory

Libby Riddles entered the 13th annual on March 2, 1985, departing from Anchorage for the 1,135-mile journey to Nome. The race that year was marked by challenging conditions, including poor trails exacerbated by snowmachine traffic and that slowed progress for all competitors. Riddles, drawing on her experience from prior finishes in the 18th and 20th positions in 1980 and 1981, respectively, employed a strategy focused on steady pacing to conserve her dogs' energy amid these "jinxed" elements. A pivotal moment came at the Shaktoolik checkpoint, where Riddles confronted a ferocious with hurricane-force winds and subzero temperatures sweeping across the sea ice. While leading mushers, including favorites like Rick Swenson and , chose to rest their teams and wait out the storm, Riddles assessed her dogs' condition and decided to press on toward Koyuk, approximately 58 miles away. She navigated marker by marker in near-zero visibility, spending a night zipped into her sled bag during the crossing, which allowed her to seize a substantial lead—ultimately about five hours by the next checkpoint. This bold move, informed by her coastal training near Nome, transformed her from a mid-pack contender into the frontrunner. Central to Riddles' success was her meticulous attention to dog care, which involved providing hot meals via a portable cooker during rests and monitoring for issues like , leading her to drop two dogs en route. Her lead dog, Dugan, proved instrumental in trail-finding through the on the . This approach not only sustained her team's performance but also earned her the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award for exemplary care during the race. After a mandatory four-hour at White Mountain, Riddles maintained her advantage through the final stages, crossing the finish line in Nome at 9:00 a.m. on March 20, , in a time of 18 days, 20 minutes, and 17 seconds. Riddles finished 2.5 hours ahead of second-place finisher Duane Halverson of Trapper Creek, securing the $50,000 first prize and etching her name in history as the first woman to win the Iditarod. Her victory sparked immediate national attention, dubbed "Libbymania" by the media, with widespread coverage and a congratulatory telegram from President . The achievement was celebrated by around 2,000 fans lining Nome's Front Street as she arrived with her remaining dogs.

Subsequent Participations

Following her groundbreaking 1985 Iditarod victory, which established her as a trailblazer in , Libby Riddles persisted in competitive , entering the event a total of six times overall and facing increasing challenges in subsequent years. These efforts highlighted her commitment amid difficulties such as management and the need to balance rigorous training with personal life demands. In 1987, Riddles scratched from the Iditarod early in the race, prioritizing the welfare of her dog team. She returned in 1989, completing the course in 12 days, 8 hours, 34 minutes, and 44 seconds to finish 16th out of 50 mushers. Her final Iditarod entry came in 1995, where she placed 32nd with a time of 13 days, 2 hours, and 15 minutes, marking the end of her participation in the 1,000-mile race after a decade of involvement. Beyond the Iditarod, Riddles demonstrated expertise in mid-distance events through her performances in the Kuskokwim 300, a 300-mile race along the , where she placed 7th in 1982 and improved to 5th in 1984. These results underscored her skill in handling team dynamics over demanding but shorter routes. Post-1985, Riddles relocated to Teller, a remote Inupiaq village on the , where she lived for six years in a manner akin to , relying on subsistence activities like and while raising and training her sled dogs. This period allowed her to incorporate local cultural practices, such as community-oriented village connections and traditional endurance methods, into her regimen, enhancing her approach to team preparation and trail resilience. Throughout these years, she navigated ongoing challenges, including providing on-trail veterinary care for injuries and illnesses to safeguard , alongside adapting to the personal strains of remote living and family responsibilities.

Later Career and Legacy

Awards and Recognition

Libby Riddles received the Humanitarian Award in 1985 from the Iditarod veterinarians for her exemplary care of her dogs during the race, particularly amid the harsh blizzard conditions she braved to secure victory. This honor recognized her commitment to , a core value in competitions. In the same year, Riddles was named Professional Sportswoman of the Year by the Women's Sports Foundation, acknowledging her groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to win the Iditarod and her role in advancing opportunities for female athletes in endurance sports. Additionally, March 21, 1985, was proclaimed "Libby Riddles Day" throughout by state officials, celebrating her historic finish in Nome the previous day. Riddles' 1985 triumph was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 as a "Hall of Fame Moment," highlighting its enduring significance in Alaskan sports history. In October 2025, Riddles was inducted into the inaugural class of the Iditarod Musher Hall of Fame, recognizing her pioneering 1985 victory and contributions to the sport. Her success inspired a surge in female participation in the Iditarod, paving the way for subsequent victories by mushers like , who won the race four times starting in 1986.

Writing and Public Engagements

Following her historic 1985 Iditarod victory, which opened doors for women in , Libby Riddles channeled her experiences into authorship and public speaking to educate and inspire audiences about perseverance and Alaskan life. Riddles authored three books that capture her journey and the world of sled s. Her debut, Race Across : First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story (1988), co-written with Tim Jones and published by Stackpole Books, serves as a personal recounting the challenges and triumphs of the race. She followed with Storm Run: The Story of the First Woman to Win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race (1996, revised edition 2002), published by Sasquatch Books, which focuses on the conditions and determination behind her groundbreaking win. Additionally, Danger: The Dog Yard (1995), also from Sasquatch Books, is a children's book illustrated by Shannon Cartwright that whimsically depicts daily life in a dog through the eyes of a resilient cat named Danger amid a team of sled dogs. As a professional speaker, Riddles delivers motivational talks on themes of endurance, gender barriers in athletics, and the rigors of Alaskan wilderness living, often drawing from her Iditarod legacy to engage diverse groups. Since around 2001, she has conducted summer engagements for in , boarding ships in Juneau to present on history and culture for tourists. Riddles maintains her connection to the sport through ongoing dog breeding and training at her kennel overlooking near , where she cares for a team of about two dozen sled dogs.

References

  1. https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS12340
  2. https://www.alaska.gov/kids/learn/famousalaskans.htm
  3. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/facing-blizzards-and-accidents-iditarods-first-woman-champion-libby-riddles-persisted-180974371/
  4. https://alaskasportshall.org/inductee/libby-riddles-victory/
  5. https://iditarod.com/race/mushers/
  6. https://iditarod.com/2025/09/22/iditarod-celebrates-legacy-with-inaugural-hall-of-fame-induction/
  7. https://iditarod.com/edu/elementary-nonfiction-books/
  8. https://iditarod.com/video/libby-riddles/
  9. https://www.facebook.com/p/Libby-Riddles-100028285314871/
  10. https://www.northernwolf.co.uk/articles/libby-riddles/
  11. https://wisconsinlife.org/story/wisconsins-libby-riddles-the-first-woman-to-win-the-iditarod/
  12. https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/riddles-libby
  13. https://americacomesalive.com/libby-riddles-1956/
  14. https://alifeofdogs.com/libby-riddles-first-woman-to-win-the-iditarod/
  15. https://sports.jrank.org/pages/3886/Riddles-Libby-Heading-North.html
  16. http://iditabuds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1224
  17. https://www.csmonitor.com/1985/0328/arod.html
  18. https://iditarod.com/race/1980/
  19. https://iditarod.com/race/1981/
  20. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/03/20/Libby-Riddles-mushed-her-weary-dog-team-into-Nome/4958480142800/
  21. https://craigmedred.news/2023/02/26/ever-faster/
  22. https://iditarod.com/zuma/virtual-trail-journey-shaktoolik/
  23. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/03/21/Woman-takes-Iditarod-by-crossing-sea-ice-in-blizzard/3538480229200/
  24. https://deltadiscovery.com/race-across-alaska-by-libby-riddles/
  25. https://iditarod.com/race/1985/mushers/598-Libby-Riddles/
  26. https://sports.jrank.org/pages/3888/Riddles-Libby-Libbymania.html
  27. https://iditarod.com/race/1987/
  28. https://iditarod.com/race/1989/
  29. https://iditarod.com/race/1995/
  30. https://khns.org/libby-riddles-a-frequenter-of-southeast-talks-dogs-cats/
  31. https://sports.jrank.org/pages/3891/Riddles-Libby-Awards-Accomplishments.html
  32. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/09/23/iditarod-creates-hall-fame-inducts-6-mushers-into-inaugural-class/
  33. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Race-Across-Alaska/Libby-Riddles/9780811722537
  34. https://sasquatchbooks.com/little-bigfoot/books/storm-run/
  35. https://sasquatchbooks.com/little-bigfoot/books/danger-the-dog-yard-cat/
  36. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/content/news/Iditarod-Legend-Libby-Riddles-Where-is-She-Now-398781631.html
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