Over half the roster scratches on Gunflint Mail Run

Thirteen teams started the twelve-dog class in the Gunflint Mail Run this morning in Northern Minnesota, by days end at least seven of those teams would scratch. The race had to change the race route before the start due to trail concerns, but felt that the trail would hold up for the loop. 

There was talk race day morning that there was concern of open water, but as teams ran their first lap it seemed that the race was going to be a fast one. During the second leg teams were obviously going slower and soon reports came in that there was more open water than previously. Teams began to make the decision to either go through it or scratch.

Teams like Erin Aili, Colleen Wallin, and Gunnar Johnson all had to scratch when they hit the water. Reports from teams that scratched were that it just was not worth the swim. 

With the chaos surrounding multiple scratches, the race has yet to update with official final times and placement, however it looks like Matt Schmidt of Sawtooth Mountain Racing takes home top prize. 

2023 Gunflint Mail Run roster

The Knik 200 isn't the only race kicking off the start of a new year, down in Northern Minnesota we've got a little race known as the Gunflint Mail Run. First run in the 1970s, the race follows a well known mail route and thus honors the tradition of mail being carried by dog sled. 

This is a smaller race, with the distance being 100 miles for the 12-dog race (which this blog post will focus on). Iditarod fans should notice a few familiar names, though many probably aren't as easy to recognize unless you follow some of the "smaller" races in the lower 48. 

There are thirteen teams this year planning to run the 100 mile race, so let's get to the roster. As always, I've done the best I can to find everyone, and the race kindly put the kennel name of each team with the bib number so that cut down on some of my work. 

Musher Roster

1 Gunnar Johnson (Callin’ Trail Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Twitter 
2 Jen Freking (Manitou Crossing Kennels) - Website / Facebook / Instagram  
3 Ero Wallin (Silver Creek Sled Dogs) - Facebook / Instagram 
4 Erin Aili (Miles Ahead Racing) - Website / Facebook
5 Colleen Wallin (Silver Creek Sled Dogs) - Instagram 
6 David Hicks (Cast Outdoor Adventures) - Website / Facebook / Instagram
7 Ryan Redington (Callin’ Trail Kennel) - Website / Facebook / Instagram 
8 Mary Manning (Doodledog Kennel) - Facebook / Twitter
9 Nick Vigilante (Schroeder Mushing) - Facebook
10 Talia Martens (Martens Mushing) - Facebook / Instagram
11 Frank Holmberg (Holmberg Racing Sleddogs) - Facebook
12 Matt Schmidt (Sawtooth Mtn. Racing) - Facebook
13 Tom Bauer (Otter River Sled Dog) - Facebook

Roster as of January 5, 2023.

Who do you think will take the top prize in this year's Gunflint? Who are you cheering for? Comment below with your thoughts!

If you like what you see and want to support my addiction (I mean HOBBY) of following these races and stalking (I mean cheering on) the mushers, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that really goes to paying for my internet/web expenses).

2020 Gunflint Mail Run begins Saturday

The Copper Basin 300 isn't the only race happening this weekend. Minnesota's Gunflint Mail Run race also begins January 11. There are two events a 12-dog 100-mile continuous race, and an 8-dog 65-mile continuous race. Fourteen teams are signed up for the twelve-dog event, and sixteen teams signed up for the eight-dog event. Fans of Iditarod will recognize several names on the longer race, while "UglyDogs" (fans of BraverMountain Kennel) will most likely recognize several names on the shorter.

The Gunflint is not a qualifier for the 1,000 mile races, but it is one of the most anticipated races in the lower 48. While it won't get the attention and coverage that it probably deserves, with the help of Blair Braverman's fandom, it's gotten a lot more attention in the last couple of years. BraverMountain kennel will not be represented in this year's roster, but the field is exciting none the less.

Names like Redington, Neese, Freking, and Schroeder should all be familiar to mushing fans. Should be a fun race to follow.

So where can you watch the race unfold online? Let's get a quick rundown on how to follow this lovely little race.


GPS Tracker! Yes, where would we be in 2020 if we didn't have GPS trackers following our favorite teams' every step?! How did we ever survive the 70s-90s when all we had were the official times in and out of checkpoints?! All snark aside, if you aren't glued to a GPS tracker, why not? Gunflint's tracker map can be found here.

The Official Site of the race is one of the best organized and cleanly built. Lots of great information can be found on the site, including information of the areas the race runs through. Give it a look see. The FAQ is especially fun.

WTIP Broadcasting is the official radio station of the Gunflint Mail Run and will broadcast the start of the race. The broadcast can be streamed online.

Social Media
Gunflint's Official Facebook page will hopefully have live video feeds of the start and throughout the race, and of course will keep updated with race stats throughout the weekend. Years past they've been active on twitter as well.

Dog Talk Sports Network a fun fanlead twitter account that tweets as though dogs are commentating sports will be at the race and hope to cover it. With the unknown of weather and other logistics they are unsure if they will be able to "live twit", but there will be updates as they can be made available. It's a highly entertaining twitter account either way and I highly recommend you follow them.


Did I forget anything? Who are you cheering for? Comment below!