Be a Part of the 2025 Idaho Sled Dog Challenge

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PO Box 1022, McCall, ID 83638

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Meet the 2025 race officials

ISDC privileged to have a well experienced group of officials to oversee the 7th running of the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge.
The Race Marshal and Judges are responsible for the enforcement of all ISDC policies and race rules. Decisions relating to dog care and treatment are made after consultation with the Head Veterinarian.

They are the representatives of the race organization at the checkpoints during the race. Their job is to ensure that the race runs smoothly and is fair for all mushers. Situations can arise suddenly. The race judge must be able to make an immediate decision so as to neither disadvantage nor favor one team over another.

Jerry Wortley

Jerry Wortley

Race Organizer

Official Race Organizer and the brains behind the event, Jerry Wortley dreamed up the idea  of Idaho’s Sled Dog Challenge while watching the “Dog Pull” event in the winter carnival.  Jerry is a long time Iditarod Air Force Pilot with several  years of volunteer work and logistics related to the last great race.

Rick Katucki

Rick Katucki

WLSR Race Marshal

Rick Katucki returns for his 4th year but this year as the Race Marshal for the Warm Lake Stage Race after passing the baton for the ISDC’s 200 & 200-mile races to longtime Race Judge, Mark Cox. Rick Katucki served as the ISDC’s Race Marshal for 3 years and as a judge for the race for several years prior. Rick has been a judge at Eagle Cap Extreme for many years and race marshal for the Stanley Sled Dog Rendezvous. He has trained and raced sled dogs for 20+ years in the northwest and in Alaska and has been enjoying being back out on the trail with his teams. His objective is a smooth-running race that is fair for mushers, volunteers, and spectators.

 

Mark Cox

Mark Cox

Race Marshal

Mark Cox is the newly-minted Race Marshal in 2025 for the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge, though he’s been the judge at the remote Third Fork Cabin checkpoint the past few years. Mark lives in McGrath, Alaska which is a stop on the Iditarod Trail. Over the past 35 years, Mark has worked as a checker and a judge for the Iditarod. Mark has trained his own dog teams and built his own sleds, mostly for work but also for play.

Former ISDC race marshal Rick Katucki will serve as race marshal for the Warm Lake Stage Race.

Joanie Fauci

Joanie Fauci

Race Judge

Joanie loves to recreate outdoors. Her favorite activities are hiking, biking, and skiing. She also loves to travel, domestically and internationally. Joanie got involved in this event as a dog handler for her friend Rick Katucki at several races: Race to the Sky, West Yellowstone, Cascade, and Fairfield. She has volunteered at the ISDC for many years. Her roles have included dog handler, timer, chief timer, race central, and now judge.
Dave Looney

Dave Looney

Logistics

A local of McCall, Idaho, Dave Looney has volunteered as an Iditarod Air Force Pilot for over a decade and became interested in sled dog racing after being involved in a weather event rescue during the Yukon Quest in Alaska.  Dave has helped run logistics and trails for the ISDC since its inception.