Archbishop blesses dogs leading 58-year-old rookie on Iditarod race

Published: 2006-03-09

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNS) -- When Eric Rogers stepped onto the runners of his dog sled and slid out to the snow-packed Iditarod course March 4, it was, as it is for many rookie mushers, the culmination of a long-held dream. The 58-year-old member of St. Patrick Parish in Anchorage has been preparing for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for more than a decade and has been dreaming about it for most of his life. The long hours, midnight sled runs, time spent away from home and the funds and focus required to train a dog team add up quickly, but Rogers' family was effusive in their praise for him before the race. "He's awesome. He's an inspiration," 28-year-old Dawn Keith said about her dad. "He's almost 60 years old and he's accomplishing his lifelong dream. I'm so glad he's getting to do this." Keith traveled from North Carolina with her three children to support Rogers at the start of the race. Marti Rogers, director of faith formation at St. Patrick, has been married to the musher for 34 years and said her husband receives strength from his "deep faith."

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