TRAIL ANGELS

A big shout-out to the many people who devote their time and energy to make the ITI race a unique experience for the racers.
Our Trail Angels all show nothing but dedication and kindness and some of them have been helping for years.

Today we would like to thank both a long-time Trail Angel, Zoe Brinker and new ITI Trail Angels, volunteers Rhende and Chalayne, who both did an amazing job welcoming racers at Shell Lake Lodge as Zoe has been unwell and not able to do it herself this year.

Zoe Brinker has owned and operated the lodge since 1978 and is an ITI institution. Zoe has been hosting racers, but also mushers and travellers every winter. She’s suffered a bad back for years but it has never stopped her from being active and welcome people. She’s the soul of Shell Lake and her bright personality is missed this year.

Rhende and Chalayne have giving racers the best care and Rhende, who is also ITI foot racer Kari Gibbons' mother even made Alaskan beer following Zoe’s recipe.

Both women went to visit Zoe before flying back home to Minnesota to tell her about this year's race so she wouldn't miss out on the excitement.

ITI is a race but it is also a wider community that comes together every year to celebrate teamwork, on the Trail and off the Trail.
There are a lot of remarkable people with inspiring stories working behind-the-scenes and we would like to thank every one of them for the great job they do.