Marc McKenna out of retirement for Iron Dog 2024
Four-time Iron Dog champion and Hall of Fame Marc McKenna is entering Iron Dog once more, seven years aftering completing what he thought would be his last race. Photo: Iron Dog file
As we approach the 40th running of the World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race, the buzz is starting to grow. Most recently that excitement involves the addition of two late-entry teams, with one name that everyone knows.
The way Iron Dog Hall of Famer Marc McKenna tells it, Wayne Wold caught him at a weak moment when he called a few weeks ago and asked him to re-enter the race scene seven years after retiring from the sport.
“Wayne was going to run with his kid, but then his kid got another partner,” said McKenna, the sole hall-of-famer in this year’s Iron Dog race. “He asked me what I thought about racing it again, and he caught me on a good day, so I said yes.
“I’ve had regrets ever since,” he added with a laugh.
The late addition of two more Pro Class teams to the field – which the board approved in December – brings this year’s field to 25 teams.
Team 41 consists of rookie Tyler Reese and veteran Haakon Wold, who completed the race with his father, Wayne, in 2023. Team 44 is Wayne Wold and McKenna. This will be McKenna’s 18th running of the race. Wold has raced seven times, with a best-finish of seventh in 2008.
McKenna credits his longtime friendship with Wold as the reason why he decided to jump in once more. Otherwise, he would be doing what he has done the last seven years – travelling all winter to warmer climates.
“This is definitely changing that,” he said. “But Wayne’s been a buddy of mine for years, and we have the same businesses and help each other out a lot. I’ve known him for a long, long time, and he’s a lot of fun. We’re not trying to go get last place, but we’re going to have fun.”
Nick Olstad, who has McKenna to thank for his rookie win in 2005, said there is definitely a buzz with McKenna back in the Pro Class.
Marc McKenna and Nick Olstad after their 2005 Iron Dog victory. Photo: Courtesy Team 7 Facebook page
“I’m excited, I think it will spice it up a little bit,” said Olstad, who stays in touch with McKenna and has been familiarizing him with the changes in the race since McKenna last entered. “It will definitely be good to have him back in the race; it’s always exciting to watch him race.”
Now that he’s made the commitment, McKenna said it’s time to start putting in the miles on his sled – and getting into race shape.
“I’m not fit, I’m far from it,” he said, laughing. “In years past, I always dropped a lot of weight before the race, but this year’s going to be a little different, and I’m going to have to speed things up. I’ve got seven weeks from Sunday to make it happen.”
Notwithstanding his hall-of-famer and four-time champion status, McKenna knows he is entering a different Iron Dog than he’s ever experienced. Sleds have improved, the layover schedules are different, and today’s racers are fitter than ever. The biggest change, however, is the addition of the 460-mile Red Dog Loop, which will make the race longer and more tiresome.
“It’s going to be tougher,” he acknowledged. “And it’s going to be pretty tough to compete with Chris (Olds) and Tyler (Aklestad) and Nick (Olstad), especially when I’ve taken seven years off. But we’re just going to go and have a good time.”
Olstad, knocking on hall-of-famer status himself with six wins under his belt, said despite the break, McKenna is never one to underestimate.
“He knows how to run a clean race; that’s the most important part,” Olstad said. “He’s snuck up from the back and he’s also held the lead. And going into a race relaxed and with no pressure has a lot to do with it too – that’s what we did in 2005. Having no expectations of winning is pretty freeing.”
Any advice for his old partner?
“Advice?” Olstad said. “Nah, they know what they are getting back into.”
The Iron Dog Hall of Fame is reserved for those supporters, racers and volunteers who help keep the World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race going strong. To read about McKenna’s accomplishments, go here. Stay tuned to learn who will be inducted into the 2024 class of recipients.
Also, check back in the coming days and weeks as we catch up with Iron Dog Director Mike Vasser and board members to bring more news, including purse updates, checkpoint changes and the highly anticipated announcement of the 2024 Ambassador Class.
Marc McKenna (with partner Dusty VanMeter) coming into Fairbanks for his fourth win in the 2013 Iron Dog. Photo: Iron Dog file