Pete Ripmaster is an ultra-endurance athlete known for his participation in the Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI), a grueling 1,000-mile winter race through the Alaskan wilderness.

“When it’s minus 50 and you’re in a sleeping bag… you start to wonder why you’re doing this.”

After initially moving to Alaska to work with sled dogs, he discovered that managing a large dog team wasn’t his calling. Instead, he pursued a solo journey across the same harsh terrain on foot, pulling a sled with his supplies. This path allowed him to fulfill a childhood dream while also building a sense of personal strength and resilience.

Despite initially struggling in his first attempts at ITI, Pete eventually won the race, pushing through extreme physical and mental barriers. His dedication is closely tied to the memory of his mother, who passed away from breast cancer, and his commitment to raising money for cancer research.
Running became a means to cope with his grief and loss.
Running also helps his to deal with depression. “Running has been my biggest antidepressant,” he says.

Pete sees his own journey as a way to push through his pain and to raise awareness for issues he cares about. His self-made running adventures lead him to deep, personal growth, and inspire others to pursue purposeful goals as well.