Rodney Whaley

[TN Sledfan]

Rodney Whaley grew up in Alaska then moved with his family and wound up in Tennessee. Now he is going back as a 55 year old rookie. You can check him out at http://www.tndogmusher.com. Let's hear it for the transplanted Southerner!!!

[Johncn]

Thanks, TN....glad to have you, and new musher to follow!

Regards,

Johncn

[Steelfern]

Rodney is running the UP200 also, running with Army National Guard Iditarod Team. You can't miss his dog trailer!!!! Rodney was in 21st position with all 12 dogs out of Wetmore. Another great looking team! Go Rodney!

[Johncn]

Hey TN,

Here is an article Rodney Whaley fans may enjoy reading. Includes cell phone interview from UP area:

Tennessee Guardsman Training for Iditarod in Northern Michigan
http://www.examiner.com/a-1198150~Tennessee_guardsman_training_for_Iditarod_in_northern_Michigan.html

Guardsman Master Sgt. Rodney Whaley's choice of transportation looks out of place among the manicured green lawns and brick homes in his suburban neighborhood.

With a wheeled sled at his home in Franklin, Whaley has been training with his team of dogs to become what he believes would be the first Tennessean to complete the Iditarod in March.

"I have been running my dogs around my neighborhood for about five years now, so I guess my neighbors are used to it," Whaley said in an e-mail interview.

Whaley, who is in his 50s, says his experience as an active duty soldier and his childhood in Alaska will help him through the two-week, 1,150-mile race.

The Fairbanks News-Miner ran the same AP story with a good photo located here:

Photos of Rodney & Comment Screen
http://beta.newsminer.com/photos/2008/feb/04/271/


Hope this helps,

Johncn

[fladogfan]

Here you go tangles, Rodney used wheels to train in Tenn.

[Steelfern]

from the UP200

Rodney came into the 1/2 the point 21st this afternoon with all 12 dogs! Running an average 9.0 miles per hour, in comparison leaders were running 12. There is a 8 hr layover.

[RAIMIS2]

Maybe next year!

[TN Sledfan]

Rodney had to scratch due all of his dogs coming down with a stomach virus. He thinks they got it during his 24 at McGrath. After that, they were unable to continue after he tried to go out on the trail.

[fladogfan]

Too bad that happened to the pups Hope you are able to try again, Rodney Better luck next time

[Ebeth5674]

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Rodney Whaley? I live in the same town as him and would like to ask him some questions about training my husky...his website tndogmusher does not seem to be working. Any info on him would be awesome...

thanks!!