BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ A North Dakota native is set to compete for the third time in the famed 993-mile Iditarod sled-dog race.
Kelly Maixner is a Golfa native who now lives in Big Lake, Alaska, where he works as a pediatric dentist. He's hoping to fare better than he has in past years, when he finished in 30th and 32nd place.
This year's race begins March 2 with a ceremonial start in Anchorage. Maixner moved to Alaska in 2007. He said that he began a kennel with two bred female Alaskan huskies. Now he has about 60 dogs.
There are about 70 so-called mushers listed on the official Iditarod website. Maixner is the only North Dakotan on the roster.
He says he hopes to finish in the top 20.