12 Dog Race
Colleen Wallin
Two Harbors, MN – SILVER CREEK SLED DOGS
I have been racing dogs since the mid nineties. Trail Center and dog racing go hand in hand, thanks for all you do Sarah!!!! We are looking forward to this year’s event as it’s a great kick off to the race season. Happy Trails!
Ero Wallin
Two Harbors, MN – SILVER CREEK SLED DOGS
I have been around sled dogs my whole life as my parents have been in the sport for years. I’m currently a freshman on the St. Cloud State University baseball team. When not playing baseball I am an avid duck and pheasant hunter. This will be the first time I have raced the mail run!
John Fisher
Cook, MN – MEANDER MOUNTAIN HUSKIES
I am a vet who likes to run dogs. I’ve been doing it since 1985! I’ve been a veterinarian in Cook MN since 1985. My wife Robin and I like to camp, fish, and run dogs. I’ve raced dogs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alaska, and the Yukon.
Erin Letzring
Moquah, WI – MILES AHEAD RACING KENNEL
We have a small kennel and have been training the dogs in Ray, MN and Moquah, WI. Super excited to be back at the Mail Run this year!
Matthew Schmidt
Grand Marais, MN – SAWTOOTH RACING
My wife and I and 4 year old take care of 26 dogs north of Grand Marais in the historic mushing district. We love this race and everyone that puts it on.
Nick Vigilante
Ely, MN – SCHROEDER MUSHING
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and started working in Ely, MN in 2008 then I began running dogs in 2010. I handled for Nathan for a few years and I am excited to be racing Nathan’s puppy team this year.
Cindy Gallea
Wykoff, MN – SNOWCREST
I have been mushing for over 30 years. I currently have 37 dogs in my kennel. I have run races in Minnesota, Montana, and Alaska. At age 70, I am not sure how many more races I will do, but I am sure I will always love running sled dogs. I am the mother of 2 adult sons, Jim and Brian, and have recently retired from my work as a nurse practitioner.
Nathan Schroeder
Goodland, MN – NATHAN SCHROEDER MUSHING
My mushing career started when I was in 5th grade. The school had a bunch of outdoors activities and one activity was a dog sled ride. My passion for mushing started that day. So I begged mom and dad for a husky and I promised them that I would take care of it. Well I got my wish, they bought me a husky puppy, then I asked for two more so I could have a team. Three dogs lead to five then ten and thats how my mushing and racing career started. I have been mushing now for over 30 years and I am not sure I would even know what to do with my time if I didn’t have sled dogs. Mushing has lead me to racing all over the northern USA and in Alaska. I’m a four time champion of the Beargrease and 2014 Iditarod rookie of the year. I have finished the Iditarod 4 times.
Mary Manning
Hovland, MN – DOODLEDOG KENNEL
I have been running dogs for about 20 years-for fun, camping and racing. My wife and I have about 30 dogs in the kennel, many of them retired now from racing. We have been lucky to travel and race the past several years. We are most proud of our “Best Cared for Team” award in the 2016 Beargrease Mid-distance race. We also have a nice collection of Red Lanterns!
Damon Ramaker
Fountain, MN – DEEP ROOT KENNEL
While dogs have always been part of my life, interest in dog powered sports started in skijoring with rescue and hunting dogs in 2007. When my small motley crew no longer seemed like enough power, I went searching for more. In 2015 I made the transition from a romantic observer of the sled dog racing scene to a full blown addict. I live with my wife and 3 children in a yurt we built in 2016 near Wykoff. My full time occupation is as an ER nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. When not running dogs or working I enjoy just being a dad and husband. Other interests include camping, fishing, hunting, and canoeing.
Odin Jorgenson
Grand Marais, MN – Jorgenson Kennel
Odin has been involved with mushing since childhood. He raced competitively from 2007-2014. This is his first race since that time. He owns Tire and Auto Lodge in Grand Marais MN. He would like to thank his wife Betsy and children Gunnar and Sigrid for helping and sharing the mushing lifestyle. Thanks also to Trail Center and all the volunteers that make this race happen each year.
Kevin Mathis
Monona, IA – GO THE DISTANCE
We are a family of 5. Two of my sons raced their first race last winter. They are active in wrestling and other school sports. My wife is a personal trainer and I am a pharmacist. We are also consultants for Zurvita nutrition company.This is my 5th year building a dog team.
8 Dog Race
Michael Bestgen
St. Cloud, MN – FUGARWE KENNELS
I love coming up to this race.The people are great. The trail is good. Sarah is great. It always seems to be the coldest race of the year 🙂
Anna Hennessy
Grand Marais, MN – SAWTOOTH RACING
Anna fell in love with mushing while working on the Gunflint Trail at Camp Menogyn. She went on to spend a winter in the arctic running dogs, then landed back in Minnesota where she has been training and handling for Sawtooth Racing for the past four years. When not on the runners or doing chores, Anna works as an RN for the local hospital in Grand Marais and guides wilderness expeditions for youth during the summer. A big fan of the Mail Run, Anna is excited about the opportunity to race locally!
Morgan Martens
Brule, WI – MARTENS MUSHING
Dog mushing has been in the family for for 25 years. I am in 9th grade at Northwestern High School. My mom got my older sister and I hooked. I’ve been mushing ever since I could walk. I absolutely love dogs and being able to be out in the wilderness with just my dogs. We have 19 dogs in our kennel and they are
all awesome dogs! My sister and I own a firewood business to help pay for some of the dog expenses. Our dad, Tim, is very supportive of our interest in mushing and we couldn’t do it without him.
Talia Martens
Brule, WI – MARTENS MUSHING
Dog mushing has been in the family for for 25 years. My mom got my younger brother and I hooked in our early years and I’ve been doing it ever since I could walk. I absolutely love dogs and how this sport makes you think outside of the box. Getting to know each dog’s personality and the way they roll is one of my favorite parts.
Ryan Miller
Cook, MN – LOST LAKE RACING
I have been working with sled dogs for about 5 years. I started mushing as a freighter for the Forest Service, and expanded into racing about 3 years ago.
Ashley Thaemert
Tower, MN – LOST LAKE RACING
I have been running sled dogs for over 13 years, but only recently began racing in 2020. I got my start with freighting breeds, and ran mainly tours and trips. I knew I wanted to switch things up so I started working with Alaskan Huskies 3 years ago and have really enjoyed my experience with the breed so far. I met my boyfriend Ryan Miller through the dog sledding community and we are working on combining our kennels this year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again this year and running the Gunflint for the first time!
Bucky Tippett
Grand View, WI – HAPPY HOWLING HUSKIES
We are in our 3rd year mushing in Northern Wisconsin. We are very hopeful for this season. We have downsized our kennel from 21, at one point last season, to 13 this season. I am very happy to be running in the Gunflint for the first time this year. LET IT SNOW!!
Mike Betz
Minnestrista, MN – FUGARWE KENNELS
Mike is returning to the Gunflint Mail Run for a third time, having had so much fun both handling and driving teams at previous GMR races. He’s been involved in racing for 15 years or so with previous races including the Midnight Run, Copper Dog, Ironline, TCSDR, and Apostle Islands. When not working with sled dogs, Mike enjoys Minnesota lake life, coffee, playing guitar, and long walks on the beach. He lives with his wife Meagan, and their three house dogs: Penny (GSD/Husky mix), Rango (Australian cattle dog) and Goliath (Great Pyrenees).
Rita Wehseler
Tofte, MN – STONEY CREEK KENNEL
I have been running dogs for 20+ years. I own Stoney Creek Kennels out of Tofte/Schroeder, MN. I have 40 dogs in my kennel. Mieter, Saber, Ski and Mimi are my leaders.
Joanna Oberg
Grand Marais, MN – RUN SILENT RACING
My folks and I operate a fishing/hunting resort in northwestern Ontario so move our dogs back and forth with us every 6 months. We keep a small kennel of approximately 15-20 adults/puppies. Sled dog racing is the most exhilarating, fun and rewarding sport there is!!!
Brian Bergen
Sioux Lookout, ON – GONE TO THE DOGS
I live in Northwestern Ontario. I do property management for a living, which gives me time to train and enjoy my dogs. This is my sixth year doing mid-distance racing.