2024 Midnight Run Mushers - Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association - UP 200

Loved outdoors and in 2000 represented educators at Iditarod to learn and involve students in lessons related to sled dogs and related life skills. I returned and begin skijoring with 1-2 dogs and by the time I skijored with 4 dogs decided switch to a sled which was safer.

Michigan, Minnesota, Yukon

Great memories running the Yukon Quest an adventure of such vastness but learned amazing trust in my dog team as we worked together.

As a child, I became enamored with sled dogs while watching “Iron Will.” After spending 25 years working with horses, I finally had the chance to dive back into the world of dog sports. I’ve relished the experience of raising my own team and sharing my passion for the sport with newcomers.

American Dog Derby, Ashton, ID. Flathead Classic, Kalispell, MT. Warm Lake Stage Race, McCall, ID. Wildfire Defense Fun Run, West Yellowstone, MT. Antelope Butte, WY.

My current cherished moment involves taking my friend’s five-year-old boy for a scooter ride with my Great Pyrenees house dog. The little guy eagerly requested more speed, but when we hit top velocity, he exclaimed, “Whoa! Slow down,” only to change his mind and ask for more speed once more.

Blame it on my wife – I initially wanted to try skijoring, but I ended up favoring the sled because it felt safer and more enjoyable.

Antelope Butte, WY. Warm Lake Stage Race, McCall, ID. American Dog Derby, Ashton, ID. Flathead Classic, Kalispell, MT.

My proudest racing moment was taking 2nd place with six dogs in a very competitive 8 dog race at the Warm Lake Stage Race.

I’ve been interested in sled dogs since I was around 8 years old. In 2018 I rescued my first Siberian husky and was hooked. 

Beargrease, Gunflint Mail Run, Northern Pines, Copper Dog, Wolftrack Classic 

I was on a training run and dropped a mitten out of reach with 2 miles left in the run. The snow wasn’t deep enough to really set the hook, and the dogs were standing patiently waiting to go. I stretched out and let go of the handlebars for a second and just like that, the sled and the dogs took off in the dark… I ran after the sled screaming in panic, I followed their tracks, they ended up blowing the turn back into the kennel. I jumped on the quad and went down the trail.. I found them a few miles later, all resting and happy behind the nearest Tavern.

My wife got pregnant and couldn't race. 

TCSDR, Beargrease Mid, Copperdog 150, Apostle Islands

I could talk for days about the great memories and scary moments from this sport. If you want to hear some of them, come sit around a campfire with me and Joann 😊

I have always wanted to have sled dogs since seeing Susan Butcher win the Iditarod on TV in the 80's. 

Tahquamenon, Midnight Run, Copper Dog 150, Beagrease Mid, Apostle Islands and many other races over the last 2+ decades. 

Racing MNR during the 2015 blizzard will always stand out in my mind as the most epic experience I've ever had mushing dogs. 70+ mph wind blew my team & I completely off the trail repeatedly when we were running along the lake and I couldn't see anything except white. The wind coming off Lake Superior sounded like a freight train. It was crazy! 

Some friends gave me a sled dog ride, and I was hooked from the get-go! I love the controlled chaos of the sport and the enthusiasm of the dogs :)

Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada

Last winter a young leader decided to chase after a FedEx van that pulled out in front of us just as we were turning onto an icy road section, dragging my old leader, along with her :) Being unable to stop with the 16 dog string, on the icy road, we ended up with the team facing down a very narrow driveway with big high snowbanks, before I was able to stop finally by stabbing the snowbank with my snowhook. I roped the FedEx driver into helping us turn the team around, and with the help of another older gentleman that rode up on a snowmobile hearing the dogs barking, my dad and I were able to get the team doubled back and swung around one direction out of there, and then another swinging the team around to turn them back in the direction we came from and then finally back onto the trail that we were supposed to be on lol. It was interesting to say the least.

Someone moved to Sioux Lookout and their family was involved in sled dogs. He convinced us to take some of his dogs from his family.

Mail Run, Beargrease, Midnight Run, and Wolf Track Classic

No, not really.

Michigan and Minnesota

There was the training run in 1998 with John Fisher that was supposed to just be a nice little 3-hour run but instead, it took swimming a beaver pond with both entire teams and about 8 hours of being lost before we made it to our destination.

A friend took me out on his team and I was hooked.

John Beargrease, Can-Am, UP200

My favorite memory is giving an autistic child a ride and every time we went down the hill he lifted his arms and flapped like a bird. Oh, so much joy if we could all have that much joy and simple things.

I love dogs and the outdoors.

US and Canada

I love coming to the U.P., the people and trails are so nice.

I watched a sled dog race, that was all it took.

Beargrease, UP200, Can Am, Hudson Bay Quest

Too many great memories.

I love winter and dogs! 

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan 

My lead dog wrapped my whole team around another musher’s truck once because he was looking for an open door to get in. 

Secret go the Wolves by R. D. Lawrence was a book I read in my early 20s. I met people with sled dogs and haven’t looked back since.

Labrador 
Minnesota 
Quebec
Ontario
New England

I’ve took a 12 year break from racing and entered a local 35 mile race in 2022 with my son’s dogs. I had so much fun racing again that I decided to get my own team together again. In 2023 I trained and raced a very young team with my season culminating with the Can-Am 100. I am hoping to use the MNR to get my team ready for my next Can-Am 100. In 2025 I may try some longer races.

Racing?  Someone told me it was a good idea

Iron River, WI; Calumet, MI

Iron Mountain. 1st race ever. Crowd gathered on top of the hill to see the team from FL leave the chute. We did, then made the first sweeping turn only to have Bleu lead the team loping like dolphins into the deep off trail snow. He thought shortcut while I took minutes to untangle our mess. I could not wait to escape into the privacy of the woods with my face of shame. The forest quickly washed away the embarrassment and replaced it with joy and excitement and appreciation for what my furry best friends were sharing with me. I was happy to hear that the crowd that gathered on the hill, did not laugh at my follies down below but rather erupted into applause at our "restart" post tangle.

The woman who groomed my childhood dog growing up had a sled dog kennel and I was instantly fascinated. She put me on a sled and said, "Rule number one is never let go" and off I went! I was hooked from there and have been involved in many aspects of the sled dog community since then from volunteering on veterinary teams, being a member of the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association, handling, training teams, and now racing!

Maine and New Hampshire

It is always an adventure being out with the dogs from spending time in the off season bonding with team to training and racing. Each dog has a personality and its always fun to see how their personalities shine and how they come together to work as a team. They are perfectly imperfect and fearless in their pursuit of happiness. The dogs teach me patience, grace, and forgiveness. It is all about having fun and enjoying each moment on the trail with them.
 

Back in 2013 I rescued a Siberian Husky that had a lot of energy - I'm sure many have heard this story. I took up bikejoring for him to have an outlet and he was an absolute natural. The passion he had for bikejoring was clear to see and I quickly became addicted. I started dryland racing with my rescues and also got my first working line Siberian in 2015. I fell in love with the Sibersong lines at that point and I have slowly built my team from a small recreational team to a current team of 12 working line Siberians that I currently train and race with. This season I will primarily be racing my own dogs but also will be borrowing 2 or more from my friend Jaye Foucher (Sibersong Sleddogs) who has been a huge support in my decision to bump up from the Jack Pine 30 to the Midnight Run, from lending me dogs as well as offering to lend me equipment if needed.

I started out racing in the midwest dryland races (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin) and then moved to sled races (New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Ontario Canada).

One great memory was going to the Seguin Mail Run last season. This was not a competitive race, but rather a traditional event where 15 teams gather and mush with "sledvelopes" in their sled from Humphrey, Ontario to the post master in Rosseau, Ontario. The sledvelopes go on to be mailed all over the world. I thought it was just a really cool concept to keep the spirit of dog mushing alive. My good friend Alison came with me to be my handler and we just had such a great time, the city welcomed us with open arms and we truly felt like part of the community. Our dogs also enjoyed all the attention before and after the run!

Melissa grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where she was enamored with sled dogs from a young age, first learning about them from an artist she followed online. Through two trips to Alaska, she learned about the Alaskan Husky. In 2015, she met a local musher in Ohio and discovered dryland and urban mushing, and was instantly hooked. After a season bikejoring her friend's dogs, Melissa purchased her first Alaskan husky Ziggy and the rest is history.

​In 2021, Melissa moved to northern Wisconsin to pursue her mid distance goals.
 

Tahquamenon, Copperdog, Northern Pines, Beargrease

In early 2022, my dog Flounder got deathly injured on a training run. Too much excitement and his partner jumped him and shredded his rear leg. Thanks to some amazing vet care in Minneapolis and generous friends and the #uglydogs, Flounder kept his life and his leg. I never expected him to run again, but that fall, I threw him on the line to see what would happen. And he has still been on the race team since, like nothing ever happened. His long scar snaking down his leg is just a memory for him and doesn't hold him back.

Needed a winter hobby

Northern Michigan

Watch out for porcupines!!!

I got into sled dogs while working as a guide for Frank Teasley and the Jackson Hole Iditarod in Wyoming in 1997. The rest is history!

Three previous Midnight Run finishes, several Copperdog finishes as well as Tahquamenon, West Yellowstone Montana. I'm from the Midwest and previously lived in the U.P. but my husband is from Montana, so my race resume includes the west and Midwest!

Once while coming in from a 40-mile training run in Deer Park, Michigan, my dogs refused (and I mean absolutely refused!) to take the final turn back to our cabin. Then in the night, I heard the call of several wolves and I understood why! We frequently see coyote, mule deer and antelope on our training runs in north central Montana, and I love seeing all the wildlife we share trails with...as long as it's not a moose! 

I began my mushing career at eight years old with my twin sister and cocker spaniels Lucky and Boo. I was a collegiate gymnast alongside my sister throughout college and have had the opportunity to work in Alaska the past three summers expanding my knowledge working for Dallas Seavey. I am beyond thankful to have such a supportive family, to receive guidance from Rita Wehseler, and to have friends in the mushing community that have helped me pursue my passion.

Minnesota, Wisconsin

Some of my favorite memories from mushing are simply being out on the runners with my sister.