Wade Marrs

Marrs, 19, has lived in Knik, Alaska his entire life. At the age of 7, he started running his own team. Marrs ran the Jr. Iditarod in both 2007 and 2008. In 2009, Marrs ran the Iditarod and was the youngest participant. After traveling at an average speed of 3.04 mph for 14 days, 11 hours, 56 minutes, and 25 seconds, Marrs successfully crossed the finish line and placed 47th. In addition to finishing numerous races, Marrs has been the recipient of rewards in the field as well. In the 2008 Jr. Iditarod, he received the Humanitarian Award. In 2009, Marrs received the Seppala Heritage Grant. Recipients of this grant must “demonstrate their commitment to work with, train, and race sled dogs.” They must also demonstrate “generosity of spirit, courage, integrity, and love for the dogs, land, and people of Alaska.” Marrs has worked for Raymie Redington, a descendent of Joe Redington Senior otherwise known as the “Father of the Iditarod,” at the Iditarod Headquarters doing sled dog tours, and he has worked for Iditarod musher Mike Jayne doing commercial fishing in Bristol Bay. He has learned much about mushing from both these individuals. In his spare time, Marrs enjoys fishing, hunting, trapping, and snow machining.