2008 Iditarod Musher Profile

With a second place finish in the 2007 race, a third in the 2006 race and numerous top Iditarod finishes to his name, Paul Gebhardt, 51, is ready to move into the winner's circle. After selling out most of his Kasilof-based kennel and taking a hiatus from the Iditarod in 2002, Paul has demonstrated a remarkable ability to breed and develop a high-caliber dog team in a very short period. Many of his bloodlines trace back to his Golden Harness Award winning leader, Red Dog, and with two Leonhard Seppela Humanitarian Awards to his name, Paul has proven his devotion to his canine athletes. Unlike most competitive mushers that focus on their kennels as an exclusive profession, Paul is a true "working man's musher". He is a general contractor that specializes in custom homes and commercial properties and together with his wife Evy, operates Aspen Hollow Lodging on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula for seasonal tourists. Paul lives in a custom log home that he built himself and is one of the few mushers to build his own dog sleds as well. Paul is an avid hunter and a true to his Minnesota born heritage on a family dairy farm, enjoys raising pheasants and horses as well as gardening. The couple has one adult daughter, Kristin, and is active in their community, including a strong presence with the Tustumena 200 Sled Dog Race, of which Paul serves as the volunteer race marshal. Paul has been racing the Iditarod since 1986 and has won various mid-distance events including the Copper Basin 300 and the Tustumena 200.