Neil finished the first Esslinger Classic distance sled dog race in 1990. It started at minus 40 F in International Falls. He finished 15th in the 2008 UP 260. His best finish in the Midnight Run was 3rd in 1999. He won the Tom Cooley Humanitarian Award in 2003.

In 2008 Neil also ran the Beargrease Marathon and the Wolftrack Classic. There are 14 dogs in his kennel.

Don Galloway  -  Makinen, MN

Don was born in Iowa but raised in Minnesota. He has a teaching degree but has worked in the children’s mental health field for the past 8 years. 

Don met his wife August in Ely, Minnesota when both working for the Outward Bound School as canoe guides in the BWCA. We started accumulating dogs in 1997, married in 1998 and consider our trip to Alaska that following winter our honeymoon…..with the dogs of course!

Don enjoys canoeing, geo caching, and swimming with his girls when not hanging out with the dogs. The Galloways have 2 girls: Wren (born July 2006) and Sylvie (born May 2008) Galloway

John Fisher  -  Cook, MN

John was born and raised in Mora, MN. He and his wife, Robin have two children. When John is not mushing he is a veterinarian.

John has raced the Mid Minnesota, Percy DeWolfe, Beargrease Marathon, the UP 200, and the White Oak.

Michael Bestgen  -  St. Cloud, MN

Michael was born and raised in St. Cloud, MN. He and his wife, Vicki have four children and four grandchildren. He has raced in many different mi-distance races including the Beargrease and the UP 200.

Michael is looking forward to running the Red River Sled Dog Derby.

Frank Moe  -  Bemidji, MN

Frank was born and raised in Bloomington, MN. He and his wife, Sherri, started sprint racing and skijoring. They started running longer training runs with their dogs and enjoyed spending more time with the dogs on the trail.They now have 36 dogs, including puppies, in their mostly Alaskan Husky kennel. They still have a few of their original shelter dogs.

Frank has raced the 2008 White Oak 130, the 2008 Mid-Distance Beargrease, and the 2008 Wolftrack Classic.

Frank is a college teacher and a small business owner.

Charlie LaBoda - Hovland, MN

Charlie was born and raised in Hovland, MN.  He has been mushing for 25 years and running mid distance races for 15 years.  This past summer he married his wife, Samantha. 

When Charlie is not mushing, he is a heavy equipment operator.

Butch Austin - Fruita, CO

Butch was born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  He now makes his home with his wife, Beth in Fruita, Colorado. Butch and Beth have three adult children. 

He has competed in the Mancos Mush, Race to the Sky, Green River Rondy, Ashton Dog Derby, and the 2007 Iditarod. 

Tom Benson - Ely, MN

Tom was born and raised in Edina, MN.  Currently, he makes his home in Ely, MN.  Tom has raced the Yukon Quest in 2002, 2004, and 2007.  He won the Mid-MN in 2007.  Tom has been recoginzed at three different races for having the best kept team. 

When Tom is not mushing, he is a carpenter.

Amanda Vogel - Ray, MN

Amanda was born and raised in Bay City, MI.  She currently resides in Ray, MN.  Amanda enjoys all outdoor activities and watersports.  Amanda has raced in the Midnight Run, Apostle Islands, White Oak, and is planning to run the 2009 Beargrease 150.  Amanda's favorite dog is "Buz".

When Amanda is not racing sled dogs, she is a social worker.

Matt Groth - Grand Marais, MN

Matt was born in San Diego, CA and grew up in Sheboygan, WI. Matt and his wife moved to Grand Marais, MN in 2000.  They have 20 dogs in their kennel. This year Matt will be racing fie yearlings. Matt has raced in the Beargrease and the Apostle Islands.

When Matt is not mushing, he is employed as a carpenter.

Harry Lambirth - Blackduck, MN

Harry was born and raised in Sedalia, MO. He and his wife, Mary, live a quiet life in the Blackduck, MN area. Harry has raced in the 2007 UP 200 and the 2008 White Oak Classic. He has finished in the top 5 in the Race to the Sky, Beargrease 150, UP 200 and the Grand Portage Passage. Harry was awarded best cared for team in the 2000 Race to the Sky and 1998 UP 200.  He won the sportsmanship award in the Race to the Sky 2000 and 1995 & 1998 UP 200.

When Harry is not mushing, he is a wilderness canoe fishing guide.

Blake Freking - Finland, MN

Blake Freking was born in Heron Lake, MN. He began skijoring recreationally with his Siberians in 1991. From 1998-2000, Blake worked with the Anadyr Siberians at Earl and Natalie Norris’ Howling Dog Farm in Willow, Alaska. In the 2000 Iditarod, the fourth event of his racing career, Blake finished 46th of 81 teams. In 2005, he finished 12th in the 1000 mile Yukon Quest!

Blake has also competed in the 2008 and 2000 Iditarod, 2005 Yukon Quest, and was the 2004 Beargrease champion.

Rob Greger - Bozeman, MT

Rob starting racing sled dogs with a bunch of AKC showdogs 22 years ago.  He spent a year in Alaska training and learning from a musher and then returned to his home in Montana.  He and his wife Cara and daughter Jenny live with 44 dogs, 4 cats, and 6 sheep.  Rob is a dog trainer and owns a boarding kennel.  His wife is a certified vet tech and his daughter is a straight A student and upcoming musher. 

Rob has raced in most long distance races in the lower 48 states including Race to the Sky, UP 200, Can-Am 250, and the Eagle Cap. He runs Alaskan Huskies and Alaskan Huskies crossed with Belgian Sheepdogs.

Keith Peppler - Bruce Mines, Ontario Canada

Keith was born and raised in Hanover, Ontario Canada.  He and his wife, Tina, have two children.  Their kennel consists of 22 dogs and 6 puppies.  Keith has 25 years mushing experience and he has raced in the Beargrease, Labrador 400, and races in Wisconsin, Ontario, and Pennsylvania.

When Keith is not mushing, he is employed as a road superintendent for a construction company.

Odin Jorgenson - Grand Marais, MN

Odin was born and raised in Grand Marais, MN where he resides with his wife, Betsy.  He has been mushing since childhood.  Odin works with his father to run Arleigh Jorgenson Sled Dog Adventures.  He will be racing a group of 6 year olds and 2 1/2 year olds at this year's race.  Odin has raced in the 2006 and 2008 White Oak Classic Sled Dog Race.

When Odin is not running dogs, he is a carpenter and sled builder for his business, Sawtooth Mountain Sled Works.

Peter McClelland - Isabella, MN

Peter has been running dogs for 18 years. He lives in Isabella MN with his wife, Chris and two children Mogan, 4 and Mio, 2. They operate White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures in the winter and are campground concessionaires in the summer for the Forest Service.

Tim Calhoun - Tomahwak, WI

Tim is a Wisconsin native, living in Tomahawk most of his life.  He has been married to his wife, Jenny, for twenty years and they have three children.  Outdoor activities have always been a big part of his life.  He has hunted and trapped since he was a teen .  He has spent several years as a big game hunting guide in Montana and Colorado. 

Tim became involved in training and conditioning sled dogs for a local musher in 2003.  In the summer of 2006, he began his own kennel called, "Seek Wilderness Adventures".  The whole family helps with the chores and at races.  Tim was the winner of the UP 200 in 2007 and won the award for exceptional dog care.  He has also raced in the 2008 Beargrease and 2008 UP 200 where he finished third. 

Tim believes that working with and running sled dogs is a good family activity and a great way to spend time outdoors.  Tim enjoys coaching, training, and conditioning a competitive team and tries to bring out the best in each dog.  He has always been impressed by the trust of his dogs and their willingness to work hard. 

When Tim is not working with dogs, he is employed as a recreational equipment mechanic.

Matt Rossi - Herbster, Wisconsin (Substitute Driver for John Stetson)

Matt was born in Milwaukee, WI, but has called Herbster, Wisconsin, home for several years.  The name of his family’s kennel is Bark River Racing. Bark River Racing has partnered with several area elementary classrooms, providing an opportunity for the students to be an important part of the team and to learn through the sport! The Bark River race team is known to the students as the Pirates!  Go, Pirates of the South Shore! ARR!!

When not racing, Matt is the Executive Chef and Catering Manager at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Jerry Bath

Jerry was born and raised in Ash Valley, CA.  He and his wife Sandy, have two children.  Jerry has raced in the International Pedigree Stage Stop, Green River Classic, and American Dog Derby.  In 2009, he won the American Dog Derby, placed 2nd in the Green River Classic, and placed 5th in the International Pedigree Stage Stop.  Jerry raises and trains his own dogs.

When Jerry is not racing dogs, he is self-employed.

Katherine is 17 years old.  She has been racing since she was 13 years old. She has a small kennel of her own, but will be running a team made up of Angela Voldarski's (sister) and Tom Bauer's dogs.  This year she also ran the Midnight Run and placed 19th.

Katherine's website is http://www.frostypines.com

Tom makes his home in Wausau, WI. He has been racing since 1990, when he began recreationally. He has raced in the Midnight Run, the UP200, Empire130, Elton 80, and St. Ignace. His best finish was 3rd at the Marmora Classic in Ontario.

His goal as a kennel is to continue to improve the bloodlines, dog care, and performance in Mid-West races and to build a competitive Iditarod team.