Iron Dog Expedition Class 2025
Team sponsors: Sourdough Express
Josh Norum
Age: 37 From: Fairbanks
Riding: Ski Doo MXZ XRS
Pro Class Status: Veteran
Race history: 2016: fourth place, 2017: eighth place
Bio: I was born and raised in Fairbanks and am a fifth-generation Alaskan. I am president of Sourdough Express. I have raced Iron Dog Pro Class a few times and am excited to experience the trail with my dad at a sight-seeing pace.
Personal sponsors: My training partners, Owen and Leo Norum, Stephanie, Sterling and Stanton Gould
Dave Norum
Age: 66 From: Fairbanks
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: I have lived in Alaska my whole life and enjoy everything that Alaska has to offer, summer and winter! My wife, Debbie, and I raised two kids and now we are grandparents to five! Our family enjoys spending time at our cabins, hunting, fishing and riding our machines. The first machine I rode as a kid was a 65 Husky and I have been hooked on riding snowmachines ever since. I have followed the Iron Dog since its inception and have enjoyed following it for years. I have always talked about doing it at a speed you get a chance to look around a bit and look forward to making the ride with my son Josh, a veteran of the Pro Class!
Personal sponsors: My wife, Debbie, and Sourdough Express
Dewey Forbess
Age: 59 From: Big Lake
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: I’ve lived in the great state of Alaska for 25 years with my beautiful wife, Kirsten. We both love riding snowmachines and exploring Alaska. We also love spending time with our son and daughter in law Chris and Maggie and our granddaughter and grandson Millie and Zain. I am thankful to run the Expedition Class this year with my partner, Troy. I would also like to thank my wife and the rest of my family for their love and support.
Personal sponsors: Hatcher Pass Polaris, Sleek, LLC, Forbess Floor Covering, LLC, Kirsten Forbess
Troy Craig
Age: 35 From: Big Lake
Riding: Polaris XRS
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: I have lived 22 years on Big Lake. Now I finally get to do the Iron Dog trail. I’ve been riding my whole life and have raced everything with an engine. Thanks to my three sons who have been my riding buddies. I love anything outdoors and the backcountry of Alaska, and I can’t wait to ride into Nome.
Matthew Riehm
Age: 41 From: Alaska
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: I was born in Ozark, Ala., while my father served in the U.S. Army. I joined the U.S. Air Force in 2001 out of high school until an injury ended my military service in 2013. I moved to Alaska in 2019 and chose to call Alaska home. I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping and hiking. You can always find me outdoors.
Personal sponsors: My mom, stepdad who are no longer here, but will be there in spirit with me, my wife, Shelby, and my friends, my parents, my daughter, Operation Iron Warrior, Apex Neurosurgery
Hunter Mathis
Age: 27 From: Chugiak
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: I was born in Monterey, Calif., moved across the country at the age of 2 and all over the U.S. until the age of 18 due to being a military brat. I joined the Army in 2016 and that’s when I was stationed at Fort Wainwright. I now live in Chugiak and love this state more than ever.
Iron Dog Expedition Class 2025
Paul Soberg
Age: 55 From: Mound, Minn.
Riding: Arctic CAT ZR6000C
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: I was born and raised in Minnesota. I graduated from Hoffman Kensington High School in west central Minnesota and married my wife, Kari, in 2002. I have been an owner/manager of a manufacturing business for 25 years. I grew up riding minibikes and snowmobiles and have always enjoyed spending time outdoors. My current hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, boating, dirt biking, motorcycle trips and snowmobiling. I have been backcountry riding in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming for over 30 years. I went to Alaska for the first time in Fall 2023 for a moose hunt and realized how much it aligned with my interests. I look forward to seeing more of Alaska.
Personal sponsors: My wife, Kari, along with my friends and family, share my enthusiasm for being part of this experience.
Mike Telkamp
Age: 55
From: Hoffman, Minn.
Riding: Arctic CAT ZR6000C
Pro Class Status: Veteran
Race history: 2016: DNF, 2017: 12th place
Bio: I was born and raised in Hoffman, Minn. I have owned and operated my family farm for 33 years. I’ve been married to my wife, Kris, since 1992. We have two sons, Trevor and wife Madison, granddaughter Cassidy and grandson Easton; and Trenton and Bridget. When farming gives us some time off you will find us fishing, hunting, skiing or snowmobiling. In 2014, I decided to participate in a new challenge the Iron Dog Expedition Class (typically you find me in the mountains snowmobiling) and I was excited to see Alaska for the first time. Since then, I’ve made many great friends and been back multiple times. In 2015, I did the Expedition Class, 2016 rode the Pro Class with Dieter Strobel, but due to motor trouble, we scratched in Nome. Then in 2017, I finished the Pro Class with my partner Paul Johnson. In 2020, I did the Expedition Class with Charlie Potter and Brian Jurenka and again in 2023 with Brian Jurenka and David Schreier. Alaska has been a part of my life for many years now and it’s been a great experience with many new friends made along the way.
Personal sponsors: Thank you to my wife, Kris, as well as my family and friends. The encouragement and support from everyone is appreciated.
Other race experience: 2014 Iron Dog Expedition Class finisher with a team of seven. 2015 Expedition Class finisher; 2020 Iron Dog Expedition Class finisher; 2022 Expedition Class finisher, 2023 Expedition Class finisher
Brian Jurenka
Age: 42 From: Eagle River
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Veteran
Race history: 2013: DNF, 2015: 18th place
Bio: Brian works as a mechanic on the North Slope. When not working, he enjoys being a full-time dad to his son, William. He also enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, playing hockey and working around the house. This will be his fifth trip to Nome with Iron Dog.
Personal sponsors: Laura, William and family.
Other racing experience: Iron Dog 2012 Trail Class, Arctic Man Classic 2014 Men’s Adaptive Ski, fourth place; 2013 Men’s Adaptive Ski, fourth place; 2005 Men’s Snowboard, fifth place; AMMC semi-pro sno-cross series, 2002-09. AMMC cross-country race series semi-pro 50–200-mile races 2003-2015. Valdez Mayor’s Cup cross-country race semi-pro 150 miles, 2003-2018
Team sponsors: Out of Harm’s Way Kennel
Rachel Morris
Age: 50 From: Wasilla
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: Meet Rachel, born in the quaint village of Knodishall, England. While her neighbors spent their days enjoying tea and scones, Rachel was dreaming of the wild, untamed expanses of Alaska. Fast forward a few years, and she’s swapped her cozy English garden for vast Alaskan wilderness, where the wildlife is wilder and the adventures are crazier. Rachel’s life is a thrilling montage of hiking, fishing, ice climbing and snowmachining. She can catch a fish with the same finesse she uses to brew a perfect cup of tea and navigate icy slopes faster than a British taxi in rush hour. She’s joined in her escapades by her wonderfully tolerant and even crazier husband, whose antics add an extra layer of hilarity to their adventures. Whether they’re racing snowmachines or setting up camp under the northern lights, they do it all with a hearty laugh and a spirit of camaraderie. Surrounded by friends and animals who are as adventurous as they are, Rachel’s life is one big, exhilarating Alaskan escapade. She proves that you don’t need to be born in Alaska to thrive there—you just need a love for the wild, an adventurous spirit.
Personal sponsors: Shawn Andrew Morris, Out of Harm’s Way Kennel
Sue Scott
Age: 51 From: Wasilla
Riding: Polaris XCR
Pro Class Status: Rookie
Bio: Meet Sue 2, born in the untamed wilderness of Alaska. Raised on a diet of adventure and occasional bear sighting. She’s the queen of adrenaline, thriving on hunting, fishing, kayaking … as well as tearing up the trails on her motocross or snowmachine. Whether she’s catching a fish the size of a small car or going for long walks off a short bridge, Sue lives for the thrill. Alongside her in every endeavor is her adventurous and slightly crazy husband, Bruce, whose antics are the dreams of local legend. Along with their loyal dog, Syxx. With a posse of close friends who are just as daring, Sue’s life is a nonstop thrill ride of blood-pumping escapades and laughter-filled adventures. With a heart as big as Alaska and a spirt that is utterly untamable, Sue is a modern-day explorer. Just do not ask her to stay still for too long – she is probably already planning the next great escapade.
Personal sponsors: Valley Natural Gas, Executive Realty, Animalistics, Out of Harm’s Way Kennel and All Dogs Haven — dog boarding. Special thanks to Paul at Eagle River Polaris Arctic Cat, and Bruce Webb
