2026 Midnight Run Mushers - Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association - UP 200

WI, MN, MI

Training young dogs and seeing their 1000% enthusiasm always makes me smile.

Went to Alaska in 2000 representing teacher education - always lived outdoors and cross country skiing in winter. Transitioned to skijoring then to a dog sled.

Whitehorse, Yukon, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire

Racing the Yukon Quest 300 out of Whitehorse was incredible experience racing along the Yukon River.

As a kid, my parents had a small dog yard in Superior, WI. I started working for Tasha Stielstra at Nature's Kennel in college and a few other kennels since then. I love having dogs as coworkers and teammates. I'm excited to be racing Nature's Kennel dogs on a sled I built with my Dad!
 

Last winter was my first season racing and I participated in a handful of short races around the UP and the Beargrease 40. This is my first Midnight Run!

I loved running the Beargrease 40 with my coworker Elizabeth Coons last season. Our teams were evenly matched so we ended up running almost the entire race together, taking turns leading up hills so only one of us had to run behind our sled at a time!

I got started in dog sled racing last year but have been running dog sled tours with Nature's Kennel for the last 6 years.

Tahquamenon Country Dog Sled Race, Copper Dog 30, Hiawatha Heritage Race, John Beargrease 40

My friend, Milly Evavold, and I have been working at Nature's Kennel together for many years and got to experience racing together last year. We often saw each other out on the trails and had "photo shoots" getting pictures of each other racing, chatting, about our dogs, how we were feeling and what we thought about the trails. The most memorable photo we got was during the John Beargrease, we ran our dogs alongside each other and took a selfie including us and our race team! One of my favorite photos and memories. 

CanAm 30 and 100, Wilderness 35 and 60

I learned the hard way how sharp snow hooks are when my snubline holding the sled and team to my truck snapped on a -20F early morning. I had to dive to catch the dogs and sled, landing on my brand-new, very sharp snow hook. Luckily I was able to right the sled, the dogs were unphased by the dramatic start to our run, and I could still stand on the runners so down the hill we went to enjoy the chilly morning. Only after finishing a solid run, driving home, and feeding/bedding down some very content dogs (because dogs first - always), I realized how badly I hooked my leg and saw myself to the ER for 19 stitches. The experience emphasized how we the mushers are usually the weakest link on our teams, and the sled dog spirit is resilient.

Since I was a kid I was interested in sled dog racing. I thought I had to live in Alaska and have 10 dogs in order to even get started...but through a chance encounter, I met someone who did bikejoring and lived near me and I learned you only needed one dog and a bike to get started. The rest is history!

Copperdog, Midnight Run, Tahquamenon, Wolftrack, Beargrease, Northern Pines

I had been dealing with a dog, Kestrel, who liked to stop suddenly and anchor down to poop on the run instead of just slowing down like the rest of the dogs. Since he was one of my lead dogs, this often resulted in tangles when he stopped faster than I could notice and stop the rest of the team from bunching over him. Well, during one training run last year, Kestrel had been demoted to wheel position (the position closest to the sled) because I thought, surely, he couldn't stop the team and cause tangles from there. We were training with the ATV, and we were at our furthest point away from my house. All of a sudden BAM, Kestrel anchors and he stops the EIGHT DOGS in front of him. I couldn't react and hit the brakes on the ATV fast enough, and I ended up swerving to avoid him and the other wheel dog and running over the gangline with one of the front wheels. Just as quick as Kestrel stopped the team, the team jumped forward, snapping tension back on the gangline. It was now wrapped around the axle of the ATV and there was no way to undo this with 10 dogs pulling on the gangline. So I had to take the shortest route home I could, at speed so the dogs wouldn't pull on the axle too hard, turning a planned 35 mile run into a 14 mile run. All Kestrel had for me was a big smile and a tail wag.

I started with bikejoring with my first Siberian Husky to wear her out, and was hooked! I then added a few more Siberians, got my first Alaskan, and the rest is history! 

John Beargrease 40 and the Wolftrack Classic 30

One of the first times I learned to trust my lead dogs, I was dryland mushing on a new trail in the dark with friends. I ended up getting a tangle and was left behind before anyone realized. My lead had ran this trail before, so he INSISTED he knew where he was going, but I was convinced he was taking the wrong turns. Ultimately, he got us back to the trailhead safely.

I've always been interested in the sport since I was little and saw Susan Butcher win the Iditarod on the news.

Midnight Run, Copper Dog, Tahquamenon, Beargrease 120, Ironline, Pellston, Mackinaw, St. Ignace, Solon Springs, Wawa, Hiawatha, Apostle Islands and many other races over the past 26 years. 

My most memorable was racing Midnight Run during the 2015 blizzard where 70 mph winds blew my team and I completely off the trail several times. I will never forget mushing in that epic storm. 

My wife got pregnant 21 years ago, so I had to take the reigns. I was such a natural talent, that I had to continue.

Copperdog, Tahquamenon, Beargrease, and roughly 20 Midnight Runs! 

Every year is a new, scary adventure!

My wife, Jana, had always wanted to have sled dogs, so when she started into the sport I followed. I now enjoy training and racing a 10 dog Alaskan Husky team.

Ashton, Idaho; Antelope Butte, Wyoming; Missoula, Montana; Flatheat, Montana; Warm Springs, Idaho; Jack Pine, Michigan

One of my favorite moments is taking a 6 dog team against some very competitive 8 dog teams and placing 2nd at the Warm Lake State Race in Idaho.

A friend introduced me to the sport.

MN, MI, WI, Alaska, ME

No

MN, MI, WI

I used to snowmobile - but decided I could spend more money and get dirtier running dogs.

Beargrease, CopperDog, Wolf Track Classic, Mid Minnesota

Pine martens will fight back!

Growing up, a family friend took my siblings and I on a dog sled ride every winter, and I was instantly hooked. I got my first sled dogs in second grade and completed a two-dog, two-mile race in third grade. The rest is history! I've been fortunate to have many inspirational mentors who supported my passion for sled dogs, and guided me on this journey including Jamie Nelson, the Chapman sisters, and especially John and Robin Fisher!

I've raced throughout northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In 2009, as a 17 year old junior in highschool, I completed the John Beargrease Mid-Distance. I've also raced the Wolftrack, and CopperDog.

Greatest memory was finishing the John Beargrease Mid distance for the first time back in 2009.

I first worked as a dogsled guide for Nature’s Kennel in the UP and fell in love with sled dogs. I love the strong bond you can create between a musher and their dogs seeing what you can accomplish together. I wanted to see what the world was like beyond touring and was granted an amazing opportunity by Clayton Perry to race his dogs this year. I feel very privileged and extremely grateful to TSA Kennels. 

My first race was this year in Minnesota at the Beargrease 120.  

I took my yearling lead, Floweree, to the Beargrease 120 and quickly learned she was not a fan of all the volunteers at road crossings or of passing strange teams. (She liked to snap at them.) Thankfully no contact was made, but everyone on trail definitely knew her name by the end as I had to keep calling “Floweree! Knock it off!”

Sled dogs have been an integral part of my life. Working with the dogs keeps me grounded and happy! They greet us each morning with enthusiasm and are eager for our next adventure together. I’m blessed to share this mushing passion with my husband and daughters and look forward to sharing the trail of the 2026 tMidnight Run with my daughter Nicole.

UP 200, John Beargrease Marathon, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Hudson Bay Quest, CanAm 250, Klondike Dog Derby, and more

We love watching the signs of wildlife activity along our trails. Sometimes we see the animals - ravens, moose, wolves, lynx, fox, snowshoe hares, and grouse are common. But even when we don’t see the animals, reading their tracks in the snow as we cover the miles is really fun - and you always know when the tracks are really fresh as the dog team gets really excited and speedy!

BACK COUNTRY ACCESS FOR LION HUNTING AND TRAPPING

EAGLE CAP EXTREME, ISDC, CANADIAN CHALLENGE, RACE TO THE SKY, TRIPPLE CROWN

AT THE AMERICAN DOG DERBY, MY LEAD DOG RAISED HIS LEG AND HOSED THE VET DOWN.

I was born into a mushing family and I love raising/ racing dogs.

Beargrease cub run
Beargrease 40
Beargrease mid distance
CopperDog 15
WolfTrack

I’ve had a lot of adventures with my team. This year at Beargrease, I was reminded that my dad’s lead dogs won’t always listen to me. Emma is my main leader, but sadly she sprained a toe the week before Beargrease. When we realized my dads powerful main leader, Beta, wouldn’t be in the marathon this year, she seemed like a perfect choice to take Emma’s place. However, she was rather creative as she led my team and seemed have some selective hearing during the race! Our connection with each dog on the team is really important.