Trent Herbst is a 3rd grade teacher living in Anchorage, Alaska. He has taught elementary students for 16 years in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Germany, Switzerland and most recently Idaho before moving to Alaska. Although he misses his friends and students in Idaho, Trent will now be able to compete in more races in Alaska and prepare for the Iditarod more efficiently than ever.

While teaching in Europe, his students introduced him to the Iditarod as a class project. Four years later, Trent and his family moved to Michigan and then onto Alaska to learn how to run sled dogs. He ran his first race in 2006 and is set to compete in his sixth race in 2012.

Trent and his wife Candida have a 9-year-old daughter Kali who races four dog events of her own, and helps with fall training and kennel care. They also have a newborn daughter Kire, who was born on September 18th.

Teaching is a huge part of Trent’s life and he incorporates this unique sport into his classroom. This year, his students are constructing his race sled and snowshoes for the race. They will also help by measuring dog food, sorting gear and making the musher meals for the race.