Filed by Ben Allen in Local News.
March 12, 2013

The following was written by KOSU’s Paige Warren

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A proud local says he’s ready to show Alaskans what Oklahomans are made of.

Training for the 2015 Alaska Iditarod, Patrick Beall is believed to be the first native Oklahoman to compete in this legendary dog sled race.

Beall says this has always been a dream for him, even as a boy at Edmond Public Schools.

“Now I’m kinda just revisiting that dream, and the other day, I just decided I’m going to spend the next two years of my life trying to get to the Last Great Race in North America come 2015.”

He says the race is over a thousand miles long, with around 50 competitors, who are usually Alaskan.  But he’s ready for the challenge.

“When I set my mind on something, I just like to accomplish it. And a feat like this is right up my alley.”

Beall says to qualify he’ll have to finish three races, two consisting of 300 miles, the other 200, but working as a guide in Oregon should help prepare him.

Beall hopes to be sponsored come 2015, with a goal of finishing the thousand-plus miles across Alaska