1. 

David Burge, Side Lake, Minnesota


Kennel Name: Dogwoods
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Huskies
Lead Dog(s): Molson, Kross, Kutzing, Ruth, Dells
Number of Years Racing: 2

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I originally got into mushing from being a race volunteer at the Sawbill checkpoint at the Beargrease. To add to the excitement from that experience, my wife/kennel manager Cristen and I stayed with Deke Naaktgeboren on our honey moon where Deke gave us our first four sled dogs.


Where have you raced?

I have raced in 2 dog sprint races to 12 dog mid-distance races including the Beargrease 120, Jump River, the Knik 200, and the Wolf Track Classic.


Have a training or race experience to share?

My biggest claim to fame is getting the red lantern in the Beargrease120 and the Wolftrack in my first race year… it can only be up from there!


2. 

Keith Aili, Ray, Minnesota


Kennel Name: Miles Ahead Racing Kennel
Sponsors: Scott and Holly Lundberg
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Drobo and Rudolph
Number of Years Racing: 30+

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I enjoy the outdoors.


Where have you raced?

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Maine, Alaska


Have a training or race experience to share?

I'm looking forward to being back at the UP200.


3. 

Ryan Anderson, St. Croix, Minnesota


Kennel Name: AnderTier Racing
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Grout, Golden, Etta, Margo
Number of Years Racing: 30+

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

It just happened...


Where have you raced?

Mn, WI, MI, Montana, Id, WY, UT, ME, Ontario, Manitoba, Alaska 


Have a training or race experience to share?

It has always been great every time I come to the UP. Can't wait to get back!


4. 

Amy Dionne, Madawaska, Maine


Kennel Name: TrailBlazer Sled Dogs
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Pig Pen, Linus, Bikini, Kevin, Trigger
Number of Years Racing: 14

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I got into dogs back in 2008. I bought a dog from a musher and he invited me for a dog sled ride, I was on the runners within 3 miles and running dogs by myself the next week. It's all history after that.


Where have you raced?

Maine and Canada


Have a training or race experience to share?

I have to many too lists. I once hallucinated tree houses and bridges coming into the Allagash checkpoint during Can Am.


5. 

Benjamin Amat, Houghton, Michigan


Kennel Name: Mushing Club at Michigan Tech: Otter River Sled Dog Training Center and Wilderness Adventures
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Ares, Winchester, Torino
Number of Years Racing: 2

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I first got involved in sled dog racing my freshman year at Michigan Tech with the Mushing Club. When I first visited the kennel, I was blown away by all of the dogs, and I got hooked. Being a person pursuing Veterinary School, it was an awesome opportunity to learn more about animal care.


Where have you raced?

I have raced in the Beargrease 40 in 2022, and at the time of the UP 200, I will have completed the Tahquamenon Country Sled Dog Race 10 dog pro.


Have a training or race experience to share?

Over this past summer, I had the amazing experience of going to Alaska to run dryland dog tours the entire summer. It was a great experience to run the dogs that I run here in the UP every day, and to be able to mush other teams from around the country, especially the Iditarod kennels. It was also a great experience to meet mushers from around the country and to gain knowledge and experience from them. 


6. 

Kevin Mathis, Monona, Iowa


Kennel Name: Go The Distance
Sponsors: Jets Meat and Cafe. Smitty's Oil & Tire, Mohn Fish Market
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan
Lead Dog(s): CC and Ruby. And King and Rocket.
Number of Years Racing: 8

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

My 7 year old son fabricated a sled and tied it to our golden retriever. To avoid injury to the dog or child, I bought a dog sled and here we are.


Where have you raced?

Montana, Maine, UP, Minnesota


Have a training or race experience to share?

Awesome to run down the lighted street at night for the UP200


7. 

Laura Neese, Newberry, Michigan


Kennel Name: MI DOG
Sponsors: Thank you to all of our dog sponsors!
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Huskies
Lead Dog(s): Ace, Chimp, Woodstove, Chilly, Razor, Envy, Fusion, Line
Number of Years Racing: 10

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I fell in love with sled dogs when I was 9 through a homeschool project to follow the Iditarod!


Where have you raced?

I have raced in Alaska, the Yukon, Saskatchewan, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine.


Have a training or race experience to share?

I always love watching my dogs do what they love to do and travel down the trail!


8. 

Kristen McCarty, Babbitt, Minnesota


Kennel Name: Hauling Dogs
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky (Jamie Nelson)
Lead Dog(s): Vera, Otter, Carbon, Circuit, Turvy, Volt, Splash, Soar, Newfie, Ensign
Number of Years Racing: 5

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I met a really cute musher. Dog sledding was one of our first dates.


Where have you raced?

Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin


Have a training or race experience to share?

Yes, but I'm going to tell you in poem form :)

The dog leaned into the harness, then looked back with a glance
all muscle and power and pride in her stance.
"Alright!" I yelled, and she charged into the storm,
away from her dog box, the straw nice and warm!
The wind was a howlin' race 2022!
The snow dumped down and still the wind blew.
Two tough days later the race was completed,
nerves of my first UP200 completed!
We traded more snowflakes for party confetti,
then fish for the dogs and for us...spaghetti!


9. 

Mary Manning, Hovland, Minnesota


Kennel Name: Doodle Dog Kennel
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Huskies
Lead Dog(s): Gala, Kriek, Darla, Duke, Duchess
Number of Years Racing: 25+

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I blame friends who wanted to share their addiction! Racing motivates me to be a better dog trainer


Where have you raced?

Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, Montana and Wisconsin


Have a training or race experience to share?

I fell asleep one year during a leg of the UP 200; I fell over while still holding the driving bow and the dog inside the sled bag gave a little yip to wake me up. Everyone was fine and we headed off to the final checkpoint together - thankfully!


10. 

Martin Massicotte, St-Tite, Quebec


Kennel Name: Chenil des Patriotes / Patriotes Kennel
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan
Lead Dog(s): Franklin (Male) is a veteran of Iditarod, the most incredible canine athlete I ever had, he is now 9 years old and still amazing. Ivory (Female) 4 years old. She have a lot of power especially in lead.
Number of Years Racing: 30

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I like the challenge of racing my dogs. Training them and trying to improve them every year.


Where have you raced?

I raced a lot of Can Am Crown 250 miles and won it 10th times. Here in Michigan, I placed a lot of time in second or third place.


Have a training or race experience to share?

In the Iditarod 2022, Me and my team were attacked by a moose. I had to fight with my ski pole to stop him hitting my dogs. A biography book is coming.


11. 

Ward Wallin


Kennel Name: Silver Creek Sled Dogs
Sponsors: Tupy's Car Wash, Diaz Sleep Systems, MFG Investments, Beier's Tobacco Products, NAV'S shipping & delivery, Betty's Pies, Julie's Variety & Hardware, Gooseberry Park Cabins, Louise's Place, Lang Feeds
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan Husky
Lead Dog(s): Guinness, Corona, Misty, JJ
Number of Years Racing: 30

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

Colleen and I went to watch the Beargrease and it changed our lives, kinda like raising children.


Where have you raced?

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, Ontario


Have a training or race experience to share?

Can't believe it was thirty years ago when I entered my first race, right here in Marquette! I have laughed, I have cried, I have celebrated, I have winced in pain many times - ALL during the course of the race! I enjoy the Yoopers, especailly the ones who hand out beers going to the finish line! Thanks to all the great people that make this a world class event!


12. 

Remy Leduc, Glenwood, New Brunswick, Canada


Kennel Name: Chenil Akkada Kennel
Major Breed or Bloodline: Alaskan, mixed of Stacey, Tremblay, Willowmitzer
Lead Dog(s): Aspen, Loki, Samba, White, Zulu, Dixit, Myst
Number of Years Racing: 14

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I got my first dog from a Mushing kennel. I started to hook her up on my bike or getting her to pull me on my roller blades.


Where have you raced?

Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Quebec


Have a training or race experience to share?

My best memory is looking at my daughter having a good time in Dawson City during my 36h break on the Yukon Quest


13. 

Andre Longchamps, Pont-Rouge, Quebec, Canada


Kennel Name: Trilongmiles Kennel
Major Breed or Bloodline: Longchamps / Reddington
Lead Dog(s): Jack, Raie, Russell
Number of Years Racing: 25

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

Mushing is a life style for us. All the family is involved. It's so nice to race with my son the last couple years. I started mushing when I was 12 years old in sprint races. I am the third generation of musher in my family. I love the freedom to be in the trail with my dogs. 


Where have you raced?

Can-Am 250, Maine, UP200


Have a training or race experience to share?

One of the most memorable stories is the first time my son raced the UP200 at only 17 years old in 2020


14. 

Tristan Longchamps, Pont-Rouge, Quebec, Canada


Kennel Name: Trilongmiles Kennel
Sponsors: Myself
Major Breed or Bloodline: Longchamps / Reddington
Lead Dog(s): Smalls, Anguille, Herbie, Levis
Number of Years Racing: 8

How or why did you get involved in Sled Dog Racing?

I was born in a mushing lifestyle. All the family is involved in racing. I really enjoy to be with my dogs, I like everything around them. Racing with my dad and handling by my mother.


Where have you raced?

UP200, CanAm 250, PG Expedition


Have a training or race experience to share?

In 2023, I raced the Can-Am 250 for the first time by myself. I usually have my dad in the race and could talk to him at checkpoints but he didn't race in 2023. That year was pretty challenging for me.


Withdrawn

David Hicks, Ely, Minnesota