This year, the Iditarod will start under new leadership for the first time in decades. CEO Rob Urbach was hired in June, replacing Stan Hooley, who held the position for about 25 years.

Before being hired by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Urbach led USA Triathlon as CEO from 2011 to 2017. His personal athletic background is in triathlons, but he said he’s been amazed at the stamina and willpower of the mushers and sled dogs who run the 1,000-mile race.

A couple weeks before the 2020 race starts, Urbach, 57, sat down with the Daily News to talk about the future of the race, how to grow its popularity and how to appeal to a younger generation of fans.