Jaclyn Arndt is 31 years old and works for the Homer Fire Department as a firefighter and EMT. But her new passion is ultra-marathon racing. Earlier this month, she became the first female skier to finish the Iditarod Trail Invitational (or ITI), a 350-mile course from Knik Lake to McGrath. Itâs pretty impressive considering she just started marathon racing within the last two years.
âBefore I never ran more than six miles,â she said. âBut I did my first marathon in the triathlon last year.â
The triathlon she referenced was the Iron Man triathlon, which is widely considered one of the most challenging sporting events in the world. Iron Man athletes swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon.
For Arndtâs most recent race, the ITI, participants choose to run, bike, or ski.
