Sunday, March 30, 2025

2025 Kobuk 440 musher roster and preview

It's essentially the season finale of mid to long distance dog mushing! Spring has sprung in most of Alaska, but for the Northern West Coast there's still a little winter left to be found. Kotzebue hosts (and boasts) one of the longest mid-distance races in Alaska. The Kobuk 440 is known for unpredictable weather, many a race has been sidelined due to violent ground storms that blow up seemingly out of nowhere. 

The Kobuk has had some of the most exciting finishes of any race, coming down to just seconds a time or two, and is always a musher and fan favorite. The race is well known for its creative and humorous social media volunteer team that never seems to sleep during the race but always brings the fun.

This year there will be fourteen teams headed down the trail, many coming from outside of the region. Four women are in the mix, as well as an Iditarod Champion. There are mushers hoping to finish up their qualifiers ahead of the 2025-26 season, their eyes set on "the big one" in 2026. There are mushers who are hoping to finish their season on a strong note. Mushers who have more they want to prove of their team. Mushers whose motives are anyone's guess.

Many fan favorites will race in the Kobuk in April. Let's discuss who have the best chance to take home the top prize.

Who to Watch

Eddie Burke Jr - Eddie's been working hard to rebuild his kennel with a fresh set of young dogs bred at Off the Rails Kennel. He managed to run several races with his "puppy team" this season even with the lackluster winter South Central Alaska suffered. Burke even tried his hand at the Rondy Invitational where he took his long distance doggos to a sprint race. They did pretty well. Burke has been a quick study on the back of a dog sled, the 2023 Iditarod Rookie of the Year has high hopes for his team's future, and it starts here.

Hugh Neff - Let's just.... put aside the controversy shall we? Neff is reportedly running a team borrowed from Iditarod Champion Dean Osmar (from the Kenai Peninsula) and where Hugh is - well, we can't count him out. Expect Neff to run an aggressive race. He is out to prove something to someone most likely and he wants to give his fans a show. He's won this race before, and he's hungry for another one.

Jessie Holmes - Jessie loves the Kobuk. Jessie just had the magic carpet ride on the Iditarod. Jessie has the team that dares you to try and beat them. Team Can't Stop is just that, a team that can't and won't stop. You'll have to out race them at every part of the race this year. Expect the reinging Kobuk champion to do everything in his power to do it again.

Rohn Buser - Rohn's race season kinda went sideways for good reasons (he's a new dad of TWO!) and he was a late entry for this year's Kobuk. He's got his sights set on Iditarod 2026 so this will be most likely a race that he uses as a "training run" for his team as he starts the work to prepare for "the big one". Buser is very capable of playing more than a spoiler in this race, and it will be interesting to see the approach he takes.

Let's also give some nods to teams that could totally blow this prediction out of the water. James Bourquin had a fantastic race last year with the Kobuk finishing 3rd. Jim could easily do it again if conditions are right. Anna Hennessy and Kristy Berington both are running teams that had phenominal success for their respective kennels. Anna is running a team made up of the dogs that Emily Ford ran in this year's Iditarod, and Kristy is running the dogs her sister Anna took down the trail. And right behind Anna Berington was Lauro Eklund who could also surprise us. It's a stacked field, let's just leave it at that.

So let's just take a look at all fourteen signed up for the race that begins April 3, shall we? (As always, once bib numbers are published this blog post will be updated with bib numbers. Currently the list is in alphabetical order.)

Musher Roster

MusherKennelLinkLinkLink
Adam LindenmuthSojourn KennelsFacebookInstagram
Anna HennessyShameless HuskiesWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Eddie Burke Jr.Off the Rails RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Hugh NeffDean OsmarFacebookInstagram
James BourquinOrion KennelFacebookInstagram
Jessie HolmesTeam Can't StopWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Jody Potts-JosephRaven Clan KennelsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Kevin HansenHansen KennelFacebookInstagram
Kristy BeringtonSeeing Double RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Lauro EklundSkookum ExpeditionsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Quince MountainBraverMountain KennelWebsiteFacebookBlueSky
Rohn BuserSusitna Sled Dog AdventuresWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Sadie LindquistSeavey's IdidarideWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Sam PapermanTurning Heads KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Roster as of March 26, 2025 @ 7pm AKDT.


You know who's racing, but how are you going to watch if you can't get up to Kotzebue? So glad you asked!

How to Watch

Unlike what we just had with Iditarod (if you paid for Insider), the Kobuk like most of the mid-distance races relies more on social media posts and radio updates than they do video. Depending on weather and internet connection there may be live video of the start and finish, according to accuweather the thermometer is set to read just above zero though the chill in the air will make it feel like -11. A frozen feed (pun somewhat intended) is possible, though the volunteer social media crew have gotten pretty good at making videos happen even if the livefeed doesn't. Along with the video feeds there are ways to keep up with the race happenings, so let's make sure we have all of the links you need.

Official Website
You can find the rules, links to all ways of following the race, and the history of the Kobuk 440 here. Musher bios are also available. The official website may have links to live feeds, so also keep a look out for that. Click here for the link.

GPS Tracker
We're all attached to this bit of technology. If you wonder where the term "tracky boi" came from, you can thank the Kobuk 440. Their social media team were the first to coin the phrase... the phrase that sets some fans' teeth on edge, but it's becoming more endearing each year. Once again, you can follow the race thanks to TrackLeaders. Beep-boop-beep.

Radio Broadcast
Race updates throughout the weekend will be broadcast over on KOTZ-AM. They have a livestream. They may broadcast the start, but it's unclear. Click here to listen in.

Social Media
This is where it's at. The most entertaining race has to be the Kobuk 440 for their amazing social media team. The volunteers know how to get and keep your attention. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter where they are most active as well as Instagram. KOTZ-AM also has a Facebook page that should share some race info throughout the weekend.

You know HOW to watch, but let's make sure you catch all the action by giving you the days and times of what is planned.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 2
10:00am - Meet the Mushers (Radio Interviews)
6:00pm - Musher Meeting/Bib Draw

Thursday, April 3
12:30pm - Race Mass Start

Monday, April 7
2:00pm - Finish Cutoff
6:00pm - Awards Ceremony


Who are you excited to follow? Thoughts on who may take home the top prize? Comment with your thoughts below!


And, as always, you can Buy me a slice of pizza to help keep the blog up and running. It's always appreciated but never expected.

Friday, March 21, 2025

2025 T-Dog musher roster and race preview

Just as fans (and mushers) are catching their breath after an incredibly difficult and dramatic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, it's time for one of the final races of the season to kick off. The Tanana Valley Sled Dog Race - lovingly called the T-Dog or T-Dog Alaska - is set to kick off this weekend and the roster is packed with teams that most fans may not recognize, with a couple fans will definitely know.

The T-Dog is the brain child of Tekla Monson-Butcher. Tekla wanted to create a race that sounded like the races she grew up hearing about where mushers were racing but it was all for fun. Mushers that mentored each other, camped together, ran together. Tekla's race in just three years has become one of the most popular by teams looking for fun over competition as well as those dipping their toes into racing on their way to "the big one."

The T-Dog is a bit of a lone wolf when it comes to how it runs - there's no cash purse. The race wants to encourage mentorship as well as sportsmanship, hoping the more experienced mushers will take the time to come alongside those that are green. The award is bragging rights (as well as donated prizes) as well as having a good time. Oh, and not all of the teams are pulling dog sleds! The 200 mile race is the only class that must be with sleds, but the 100 and 50 also have bikejor and skijor entrants! This is a celebration of winter dog sport at its finest.

As stated there are three separate classes. The 200 mile sled dog race, the 100 mile race, and a 50 mile race. The 200 mile race can be used as a qualifier for the Iditarod and Yukon Quest races. The best way to find out exactly what each class entails you can read up on the rules

For this post we're going to focus on the 200 and 100 milers, as the majority of those racers are on dog sled. They are also, typically, running from a kennel and most are adults - not teens. Trying to keep privacy to those who aren't your typical racers. Note that all three classes, however, will have trackers. We'll get to all of that, though in a little bit. Because they are not running for a purse, we'll forgo the predictions of who are the ones to watch - let's keep with the spirit of the T-Dog. Let's see who we have racing this year, shall we? (Roster is sorted alphabetically, which is different from how they are listed by the race on their website.)

200 Mile

MusherKennelLinkLinkLink
Adam LindenmuthSojourn KennelsFacebookInstagram
Alison LifkaShenanigans KennelFacebook
Andrew WappettSnowdrift KennelFacebook
Annette LlanesHonky Tonk KennelFacebookInstagram
Ashley DoveCrooked Creek KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Bailey VitelloTeam BaileyWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Brianna BlomgrenTeam BaileyFacebook
Emma LewisWildwoods MushingInstagram
Erika LoebrichStar Gazer RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Jennifer NelsonNorthern Lone Star MushingFacebookInstagram
Jessica Burr LemaireThe Comstock KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Joe TaylorMushing MalarkeyWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Kamey Kapp WorlandThe Dog LotFacebookInstagram
Katrina HandlerTrail Breaker KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Lindsay LlanesHonky Tonk KennelFacebookInstagram
Michael RoddewigSage Mountain KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Richie BeattieWildthingz Dog MushingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Sam McLainSkookum ExpeditionsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Sam PapermanTurning Heads KennelWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Sarah RichardsDeja Vu Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Shane BlumentrittCold Start KennelFacebookInstagram
Skylar WhitcombShameless HuskiesFacebookInstagram

100 Mile

MusherKennelLinkLinkLink
Abbey VandenBergCloudberry KennelFacebookInstagram
Anja MaijalaSkier
Ashley PattersonLone Wolf KennelWebsiteFacebook
Brenda MackeyMackey's Alaskan Distance DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Eddie Burke JrOff the Rails RacingWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Hailey PearsonTwinkle Toes the Arctic PantherFacebook
Hazel SuttonGoldstream Girls Racing Kennel
Isabel RhodesMackey's Alaskan Distance DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Jay AllynOrange Blossom KennelFacebookInstagram
Jennifer HallstenMidnight Sun K9s
Jenny Simard?
JJ ShelleyThere & Back Again Sled DogsWebsiteFacebookInstagram
Juliah DeLoachOil Well KennelFacebook
Kathleen FrederickShameless HuskiesFacebook
Ned RozellBikejor
Stefan MilkowskiBikejor
Torleif BentzenWhisky Jack’s Kennel
*Rosters current as of March 19, 2025 @ 9pm AKDT

So we've seen who plan to race, but how can armchair mushers follow along? Fans need our fix after nearly two weeks of non-stop sled dog coverage in the Iditarod. Glad you asked!

How to Watch

Official Website
Like with most of the races, the best place for accurate information will be the T-Dog's official webpage. It is there you will find the rules, schedule of events, trail updates, links to trackers, and any race information one could want. 

Social Media
T-Dog is very active on their social media accounts. All "news" seems to get posted to their Facebook page as well as fun little videos and memes. Photos will be posted here and there may be a live feed or two. Their Instagram has similiar updates with the fun reels and photos and infographics. 

GPS Tracking
The tracker is already live! The T-dog posted a pic Thursday that trackers were labeled and ready for Saturday. Once again trackleaders.com is the place to be for all things sled dog. 

Schedule of Events

Friday, March 21, 2025
4pm Vet Checks for 200 mile (Manley)
7pm Musher Meeting for 200 mile (Manley)
8pm Kickoff Concert (Manley)
7pm Meeting for 50 Mile participants (Fairbanks)

Saturday, March 22, 2025
8am-10am 200 Mile Start (mushers may choose when to leave)
9pm Musher Meeting for 100 mile (Minto)
MIDNIGHT 100mile start, 2 minute intervals for sleds (Minto)

Sunday, March 23, 2025
8am 200 mile Sourdough (re)Start (Minto)
8am 50 mile start (Nenana) 

Monday, March 24, 2025
5:30pm Finisher's Banquet (Fairbanks)


The race season isn't over folks, it's still got a month to go! Will you be watching? What do you think about the format of the T-Dog? Comment with your thoughts below.



And, as always, you can Buy me a slice of pizza to help keep the blog up and running. It's always appreciated but never expected.

Monday, March 17, 2025

And with that Iditarod 53 comes to an end

Ebbe Pederson at the ReStart of Iditarod 53.
March 3, 2025. March 3, 2025.
The final musher crossed under the burled arch Monday morning at 1:40am AKDT. Ebbe Pederson running a second team out of Turning Heads Kennel didn't expect to be the Red Lantern as another team was resting in White Mountain when the musher from Norway pulled into Nome. Ebbe went to bed second to last in the wee morning hours.

Many were expecting the Red Lantern to come in Monday evening, however Jenney Roddewig pulled the plug on her race shortly before her scheduled leave time in the checkpoint. The musher's family took to the kennel's social media page to explain that the Sage Mountain Sled Dogs had had a rough run from Elim to White Mountain and Jenny rightfully did not want to ask them to do more than they should.

With the scratch around 6am, the race decided to let the new Red Lantern have a chance to rest before meeting under the burled arch to extinguish the Wildow's Lamp and receive his Red Lantern trophy. Ebbe Pederson was heard exclaiming "Oh, look at this! A big trophy!" as they handed him the Red Lantern award. Ebbe went to bed an Iditarod finisher and woke up a finisher with a trophy and cash prize.

Ebbe didn't travel alone to Nome, he took the last run together with fellow rookie Dane Baker of Alaskan Husky Adventures. Baker has worked with Matthew Failor for several years as a dog handler and was excited to finally take on the thousand mile race. Failor made sure to thank his handler during the Iditarod Finisher's Banquet, acknowledging Baker was still out on the trail "and probably climbing the Topkok Mountains as we speak." Baker came in ahead of Pederson by five minutes. He came in 21st place wearing bib number 21. 

It has been several years since the race ended after the Finisher's banquet. As is tradition, a smaller banquet was planned for the mushers not able to make Sunday's dinner. While not covered by media and typically has less pomp and circumstance, most that have attended in the past say it is far more fun.

Thirty-three teams started the journey from Fairbanks to Nome on March 3, 2025 - twenty-two teams completed the 1,128 mile trail. It's said that Iditarod 53 was the longest Iditarod race to date, as well as one of the toughest. Many of the mushers at the banquet recounted how difficult the endless miles of river they were on (especially the Yukon River) and how they were done with river running for a while. Every year is difficult in ways unexpected, and every rookie race is hard, but the class of 2025 should be exceptionally proud of what they and their teams accomplished.

With a third of the field unable to complete the course, Iditarod 53 had the lowest number of finishes since 1973 - the first ever Iditarod. Many of the finishers at the banquet said they planned to be in the 54th running of the race, while others remained silent or even suggested they were planning to take a year off. With the uncertainty of everything these days making a commitment that is a massive financial suck takes a little time to decide.

Iditarod 53 may be over and Nome may be getting back to normal, but fans will now be turning towards kennel websites and social media to read the stories from the trail. Iditarod Volunteers will gather on Wednesday for the volunteer potluck where even more stories will be told. There are still several mid-distance races to follow in the next few weeks - many of them qualifiers for the Quest and the Iditarod. The season is not quite over.

Musher sign-ups for 2026 and volunteer appreciation picnic will be held on June 28, 2025.