Al has trained and raced Alaskan sled dogs for 17 years, completing the 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2004 Iditarod Races from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. He has chosen the best of the distance dogs in his kennel and perfected his feeding program as well, giving him confidence for the 2002 Iditarod. In the past two Iditarod Races, he accepted pledges for The Leader Dog School for the Blind in Rochester, MI. In cooperation with the Ludington Lions Club Al was able to raise over $20,000 in pledges and donations for the Leader Dog School for the Blind. In 2002, Al ran purely for the challenge the race offers, and to better his 2000 Iditarod-37th place finish time of 11 days, 11 hours and 32 minutes. He did so with a 21st place finish in 10 days, 4 hours and 20 minutes!

Al is married, has five children, 11 grandchildren and currently 19 sled dogs.