8,000 Miles Across Alaska: A Runner's Journeys on the Iditarod Trail

by Jill Homer, Tim Hewitt

In North America's Last Frontier, there are still untrammeled wildernesses where a man can stand alone in a region the size of entire states, where deep cold quiets every whisper of life and vast emptiness reigns. Alaska remains a mysterious place that, thanks to reality television, has captured the imagination of millions. Yet a minuscule fraction have acquired an understanding of the land afforded by exploring in their most vulnerable state — on foot, towing all of their supplies, wholly independent. This is the perspective of Tim Hewitt, an employment lawyer from Pennsylvania with a unique hobby — racing across Alaska on the Iditarod Trail. What compels a man to run, walk, and trudge a thousand miles across Alaska? “Because it’s there” isn't an adequate explanation. “As a challenge” or “for the adventure of it” are closer, but still too vague. The thousand-mile dog sled race on the Iditarod Trail is often called “The Last Great Race” — but there’s another, more obscure race, where participants don’t even have the help of dogs. The Iditarod Trail Invitational challenges cyclists, skiers, and runners to complete the distance under their own power and without much outside support. Tim Hewitt is the only person to have completed it more than three times. His actual number? An astonishing eight. Six of those, he won or tied. But no one who sees Tim Hewitt on the street near his law firm in Pittsburgh would ever suspect that battling hurricane-force blizzards is something he does in his spare time. Fifty-nine years old with a slim build, a bright smile, and cropped gray hair, he isn’t the stereotype of a grizzled Arctic explorer. He’s a talented amateur runner, a father to four daughters, a husband to an equally adventurous wife, and achiever of a truly distinctive accomplishment. Far more people have reached the summit of Mount Everest than Nome under their own power, and it’s incredibly unlikely that another person will ever try for eight. "8,000 Miles Across Alaska: A Runner's Journeys on the Iditarod Trail" chronicles Tim Hewitt's adventures across Alaska — the harrowing weather conditions, breathtaking scenery, kindness of strangers, humorous misadventures, humbling setbacks and heroic victories. From fierce competition with his fellow racers, to traveling backward on the trail to ensure the safety of his wife, to battling for his own survival, Tim Hewitt has amassed a lifetime of experiences amid the harsh miles of the Iditarod Trail. This is his story.

Genres: Memoir, Nature, Biography, Outdoors, Travel

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 30, 2014

Reviews

[Beth Shultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. What an adventure!!!! Won this book from goodreads.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inspiring real-life story of a man's arduous eight trips across Alaska and the difficulties -- both mental and physical -- therein. Poetically and thoughtfully written with a lasting impression of human capability in the face of adversity.

[Molly Bazilchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating survival tale about one man's numerous journeys across Alaska. Homer real puts you into Tim Hewitts head and gives you an idea of what 1000 miles on foot in the Alaskan wilderness feels like. A great book for armchair adventurers.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading a couple of iterations of the race, I admit I skimmed to the rest of the book.There really wasn't much new:It's very cold, he Is fiercely determined, then he finishes. The writing itself reads like an elementary school essay.

[Patrice La Vigne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had this on my list because I love Jill Homer’s writing, but I didn’t quite realize it wasn’t just her writing, nor was it about her adventures. It was co-written by Tim Hewitt. Admittedly, the story kept my attention, mostly because it’s just unbelievable that someone would willingly put themselves through that much hardship, but to each is own. The reason I didn’t love this book is that it wasn’t Jill’s typical style of writing. She is writing about Tim, so there is no deep dive into the raw emotions, something Jill typically tackles.

[Emily Berriochoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight

A must read for anyone looking to break out of a mental rut. I'm fascinated by the winter expedition ultras and could not put this book down. Excellent gear list at the end.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

“But to say that the race is the metaphor for the life is to miss the point. The race is everything. It obliterates whatever isn’t racing. Life is the metaphor for the race.”

“There was only one thing he knew how to do when everything seemed absolutely hopeless, and that was to keep moving.”

[Nola Vorbrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book written by Jill Homer

I enjoyed Jill's writing style about Tim Hewitt and his amazing adventures. I highly recommend this book and all books written by Homer.

[Thebestdogmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well written book by Jill. A very nice account of some super amazing adventures.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of determination. I loved the descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book. I have followed the Iditarod for many years and I am so impressed with how thses hardy folks survive this race and see so much of their state doing it.