KEMMERER — Last year, Alix Crittenden was forced to sit out the Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race due to a health scare. This year, she returned to the race after months of preparation, working with eight-time Iditarod veteran Frank Teasley, for whom she has been racing since 2016. The Stage Stop, a grueling seven-day race, was originally founded by Teasley.

During Crittenden’s absence last year, Jess Moore, her understudy and dog handler, stepped up as lead musher. This year, Moore played a crucial support role for Crittenden, who especially needed assistance after undergoing a year of radiation and chemotherapy following the discovery of a brain tumor.

Crittenden has expressed deep gratitude for the people in her circle, acknowledging that she could not race at such a high level without their support. She recognizes the hard work done behind the scenes, as she herself did last year while supporting Moore. Now back on the sled, Crittenden shared that racing allows her to focus on the present, momentarily setting aside concerns about her health.

Mushing is challenging even for those in peak physical condition. The cold and extreme weather conditions can be brutal. Despite these difficulties, Crittenden’s and Teasley’s dogs remain central to their work.

Unlike many sled dog teams, Teasley’s retired dogs stay on the property and continue to be part of the Iditarod Sled Dog Tour program in Bondurant, Wyoming. Crittenden first moved to Wyoming from North Carolina to guide these tours, knowing little about sled dogs at the time. However, Teasley quickly recognized her potential as a musher.

Crittenden is dedicated to making her team the best it can be. While she understands there is always room for improvement, she is also learning to allow for imperfections. That combination of drive and grace has given her a competitive edge, which has also helped her navigate her health challenges.

In 2024, she was a strong contender for the championship title, but a seizure led to an emergency trip to Salt Lake City, where doctors removed a brain tumor.

Her illness has shifted her perspective on racing. Compassion now plays a larger role than competition. Crittenden noted that she has learned to stay calm, but she also believes in taking action when something feels important. She remains focused on her goal of winning Stage Stop. Having placed second before, she knows that first place is within reach. Her resilience is truly inspiring.

After the Kemmerer leg of the race, Crittenden sat down for an interview with the Gazette, emphasizing the bond between musher and dog. She credited her lead dogs, Ada and Archer, for their performance that day, saying, “You have to depend on your dogs.” Ada is the daughter of Juniper, who helped Crittenden secure first place in the Kemmerer race a few years ago.

Reflecting on her race, she admitted that the previous day had been challenging. “This year I’m trying not to care about the numbers; I care about what I see in front of me out there and how I feel about it when I’m out there.” She pointed to her head and added, “I can forget about this thing up here. I can just be running dogs. It’s the only place in the whole world that I cannot be thinking about this.” With a laugh, she added, “The doctors can’t take my tumor away, but the dogs can.”

Despite her humor, Crittenden acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of her condition. She said that her physical struggles often impact her mental state but emphasized her gratitude for the support surrounding her. While speaking with the Gazette, her team was handling chores to allow her to rest.

“They have taught me you have to take care of yourself, too, not just the dogs,” she said.

Crittenden’s outlook has changed significantly since her illness. While she still faces physical challenges, she now prioritizes self-care as much as she does her dogs. Previously, she would push herself until she was dehydrated; now, she understands the importance of maintaining her own well-being.

She said resting while her team works has been mentally challenging.

“Accepting that and not feeling bad about it has been tough,” she said. However, she added, “This whole thing has given me a different perspective on lots of stuff.”

One of the biggest lessons for Crittenden has been grace.

“Just helping people that need help,” she said.

That attitude was evident during the race when she stopped to assist a fellow racer who had gone off-trail and was stuck in deep snow. Despite the delay costing her time, she had no regrets.

“I would want someone to do that for me,” she said.

Her battle with cancer has reinforced the importance of kindness, and she believes small acts of generosity can create a ripple effect of good.

“If all of us humans would do that in tiny little bits, it would be contagious,” she said.

Crittenden’s perspective shifted even during her medical treatment. She described feeling like she was on an assembly line with doctors and nurses until she started making an effort to engage with them.

“I started treating them like people,” she said, “not just my doctors.”

She has undergone nine rounds of chemotherapy and even postponed a treatment so she could race. She laughed as she recalled telling her doctors they would have to accommodate her racing schedule. After Stage Stop, she plans to travel to Alaska, bringing her chemo treatments along to fit her rigorous schedule.

Crittenden’s parents, Barry and Andrea, have played a crucial role in supporting her through her treatments.

“They have allowed me to write my story,” she said. “They have given me faith and good energy and power.”

Crittenden’s sister, Jessie Pearson, also serves an important role on the team as the physical therapist for the sled dogs.   

Despite the hardships, Crittenden has found positives in the experience.

“You can still do what you want to do even if things aren’t going the right way,” she said. “You don’t have to swipe it away.”

Returning to the kennel while undergoing chemotherapy has been difficult, and she relies on support when she isn’t feeling well. It has been mentally challenging to accept that she can no longer do everything she once could; however, she has extended her compassion to her fellow racers, celebrating their successes alongside her own.

“I now focus more on other people,” she said, emphasizing the importance of kindness, as no one knows what others might be going through.