PETER MCCLELLAND – ELY, MN

Peter McClelland, a naturalist by training and a professional musher by choice, has many years of experience guiding winter sled dog trips. He has introduced sled dogs to groups of all ages through his business in Ely – White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures – which he operates with his wife Chris. Peter is a co-founder of the Ely Area Mushing Association and has participated in sled dog races and events all over the Midwest. White Wilderness has also been featured in several magazine articles and television news features. Visit him on his website at www.whitewilderness.com.

Matt lives in Whitefield, New Hampshire and has been mushing for eleven years. For the last six years he has been working with Nevahome Kennels. The kennel consists of 25 race dogs and 40 pups. He is the proud father of an 9 year old daughter named Delia. She loves dogs and looks forward to competing in the future so watch out! Matt's interests include caring for sled dogs and working in his wood shop. Matt’s website can be seen at www.nevahomekennels.com.

AARON BURMEITER – NOME, AK

I was born and raised in Nome, Alaska and grew up in a mushing family. I love the sport, the dogs, traveling and meeting new people, the country we pass through and the time spent with the dogs covering endless miles of Gods Country. Raising and breeding our own dogs and watching them grow into the team that we bring to the starting line of races is very rewarding. We maintain a kennel of about 50 dogs. I am married to Mandy and have a handler Benedikt and we work together as a team to maintain a competetive racing kennel.

While the cancellation of the 2007 Beargrease was a huge disappointment for everyone involved, Tim still had a great season with a resounding win of the UP200. He led the race all the way and finished almost an hour ahead of his nearest competitor. This makes him the first Wisconsin musher to win a major Pro Class sled dog race. In addition Tim received the Tom Cooley Award from the trail veterinarians for displaying exceptional care of his dogs throughout the 240 mile race.

In the summer of 2006 he started his own kennel called “Seek Wilderness Adventures”. Jenny, his wife of 19 years, and their three children help with kennel chores and at the races. He enjoys coaching, training and conditioning a competitive team and strives to bring out the best in each dog. “I’ve always been impressed by the trust of my dogs and their willingness to work hard."

SPONSORS: Alex and Jennifer Ott of Ott’s Mink Ranch; Tomahawk Sports Center; Billy Bob’s Sports Bar and Grill; Daigle Brother Metal Fabricating;
Clark Shannon, Black River Sleds, Tom & Janet Hoffman.

Jennifer and husband Blake Freking own Manitou Crossing Kennels in Finland, MN. Jennifer has been training and racing Siberians huskies since she was nine years old. She began racing her dogs in the Junior 3-Dog class at North Star Sled Dog Club races in 1990. Jennifer graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004 and works at the Ely Veterinarian Clinic in Ely, MN. In 2005, she finished second in the 400 mile Beargrease Marathon and she was awarded Rookie of the Year. Learn more about the Jedeye Siberian Huskies at their web site www.jedeyesleddogs.com.

Neil has enjoyed a small kennel for more than 20 years. He did a lot of winter fishing and camping with a small team. Neil ran the first Esslinger Classic Sled Dog Race in 1990 which started in International Falls where he lived. He has finished twelve previous Beargrease races. Neil is also an amateur radio operator having been licensed for 43 years. Thank you Beargrease Amateur Radio Coalition volunteers!

In 1980 I saw my first dog race. It just so happens to be that my family and I were at the finish line when the great Susan Butcher won. That was the first and only time I ever saw her. Shortly after we met Keven Malikowski and have been hooked ever since! My father, Vern, has also run the Beargrease Marathon in 1996, 97, 98, 2004 and is signed up for this years Marathon. Good luck Dad!! One of my most memorable things about the Beargrease was handling for Dad. In 96 & 97 at Devils Track Lake when I swear the wind chills were -70 degrees it seemed. It was like that in both of those years – just cold! I would like to thank my fiancée Carey and my parents Vern & Cindy for their continued support. Visit Nathan’s website at www.horsesnhuskies.com.

Ward C. Wallin, age 46 Two Harbors, MN. I have been racing or handling in the Beargrease since 1994. I have finished the marathon 3 times and the mid distance once. Colleen and I have two sons, Ian (9) and Ero (5). I would like to thank the following sponsors; GRAND SUPERIOR LODGE, PET FOOD URNS, BETTY'S PIES, TWO HARBORS AMOCO, TWO HARBORS FORD, GRANITE GEAR, NORTH SHORE OIL & PROPANE, AIR GROUP, RELIABLE AUTO, COUNTRY INN OF TWO HARBORS, TRUE VALUE HARDWARE, DIXIE'S, MMT HEATING AND COOLING, JIMMY'S PIZZA, & DON MITCHELL CONSTRUCTION.

Matt and his wife, Paula, own Bark River Racing and have been racing for nine years. They live in Herbster, WI on the south shore of Lake Superior. Herb works at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Their kennel is known as the Pirates of the South Shore and they are here to plunder and pillage the North Shore. Bark River Racing works a lot with local schools encouraging learning through the sport of mushing. If you see any kids with pirate flags they are part of Bar River Racing. Visit Matt at www.barkriverracing.com.

Rita and her husband, Bill, own Stoney Creek Kennels. They have forty dogs in their kennel. They race and began giving sled dog rides for tourists along the North Shore. They are giving rides for the Lutsen Tofte Toursim Association (American Northcoast Org) again this winter. When not running dogs Rita is a baker for the Caho Café or playing softball.

JOHN STETSON – DULUTH, MN

John is the 2005 and 2006 Beargrease Mid-Distance Champion as well as the 2005 Hudson Bay Quest Champion. Last year John led the 1500 mile Global Warming 101 Expedition. His wife Shelly and son Nelson help work to maintain a simple organic lifestyle with sled dogs as a family focal point. They have a small but versatile kennel that they share educationally, therapeutically and recreationally with thousands of guests each year. Visit John at hi Epic Adventures Kennel at www.dogmusher.com

MITCH INGERSON - JEFFERSON, NH

Mitch is self employed. He has had an interest in dog mushing for several years. In 1999 Mitch and his wife established Nevahome Kennel and currently have 70 dogs in the dog lot. Mitch is happily married with a three year old daughter.

JAYE FOUCHER - ASHLAND, NH

Jaye has a kennel of approximately 22 siberian huskies in central NH. After many years of pursuing a career in the music industry she became interested in the sport of mushing in 2000 after buying a pet Siberian husky and 3 years later ran her first 30 mile race. Her goal since the beginning has been to run distance races and in 2007 Jaye completed the 250 mile Can-Am Crown along with two 100 mile races. Two weeks after completing the Can-Am last season Jaye took her team up to Vermont and won first place in the 8-dog open sportsman class of the Eden Mountain Sap Run. When not running dogs, Jaye owns and runs a web development firm.

LEV SHVARTS - WINCHENDON, MA

Lev owns a small kennel of 20 dogs in central Massachusetts. He has been driving dogs for about five years and racing for two.

JESS ALLEN - MURRAY BRIDGE, AUSTRALIA

Jess is an Australian who grew up in the land of kangaroos and koalas and now prefers the company of Alaskan huskies. In order to pursue her passion for running dogs she has been living in Canada the last three years. After starting off in sprint racing, continuous distance racing has become a passion. At present Jess has a small kennel of 34 Alaskan Huskies in Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada. Keeping the numbers small allows her to spend quality time with each individual dog and believes that training is a large part of preparing for distance racing.

MICHAEL BESTGEN - ST. CLOUD, MN

This is Michael's 9th year in dog racing. He started in the 6 dog class, then moved up to the 10 dog class and now the 12 dog marathon. This will be his 5th marathon. Michael is looking forward to the 08 Beargrease and wants to thank all the people that volunteer and work so hard to put on such a wonderful race! He still works at Miller Chevrolet in Rogers, MN and still has the same sponsors - Me, Myself and I. Michael keeps his kennel small with only 16 racing dogs, a couple of puppies and some retired dogs. His wife Vicki is very supportive and they have 4 grown children and 14 grandkids.

KIM DARST - BLAIRSTOWN, NJ

It is a dream come true for Kim to be able to compete in the Beargrease. Kim's goal is to complete the race and use it as a qualifier for the 2009 Iditarod.

RICK LARSON - SAND COULEE, MT

Rick is coming to the Beargrease Marathon for one reason - to win!

LAURA DAUGERAU - SAND COULEE, MT

Laura has handled for the Barrons and now is with Rick Larson. Her 3rd season will include running the 2008 Iditarod.

LINUS MEYER - MELROSE, MN

Linus started his mushing career in 1995 when he purchased six sled dogs and a used sled from a local musher. Two of those original dogs are still in his kennel which consists of 23 dogs including eight retired dogs and three pets. His wife Ileta and he live on a farm near Meire Grove in central Minnesota. Besides caring for the dogs there are cats, chickens, ducks, goats and beef cattle. Linus works as a Conservation Technician with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District and Ileta works at a local convenience store.

ELIZABETH LEVITSKI - BRYANT, WI

Elizabeth keeps between 35-40 racing Siberians at her Northenough kennel where they breed an average of 2 litters per year. She has been racing for about 12 years and has lots of mid-distance experience.

HANK DEBRUIN - HALIBURTON, ONTARIO, CANADA

Hank and his wife, Tanya, own Winterdance Dogsled Tours a purebred Siberian kennel of 120 dogs. They live in the Haliburton Highlands, a wilderness area on the edge of Algonquin Park. The DeBruin's have been running tours for 8 years and are now reaching their goal of fielding a distance racing team. They have 3 children, Logan 8 and Dustyn 6 who run their own dogs and Michaela 2. www.winterdance.com

ERIC MORRIS - PORT WING, WI

Eric has a small kennel of dogs in northwest Wisconsin and has been racing for about 6 years. He is the founder of Redpaw Dog Food.

MARK BLACK - GRAND MARAIS, MN

The 25th running of the Beargrease will be Mark's 15th running of the marathon. A twenty-year-long dream was realized in 2005 when Mark won the race, but he and wife Mary are most proud of three "Best Cared for Team" awards from the Beargrease. The "Black Magic" kennel has thirty-eight dogs in training. Mark's website is www.blackmagickennels.com.

MATT GROTH - GRAND MARAIS, MN

Matt and his wife, Hope, have 20 dogs and a house rabbit. He has been running his own dogs since 2003. Matt is a carpenter in Grand Marais, MN. He would like to thank his family, friends and the volunteers that make this race happen.

CONGRATULATIONS - 2008 Marathon Winner!

JASON BARRON - LINCOLN, MT

Jason has a 30 year history with dog mushing starting as a five year old. He and his wife, Harmony, started their Kanabear Enterprises in 2000 and now have 45 dogs in their kennel. Jason has finished 7 Iditarods and Harmony has finished 3, winning the most improved musher in 2005. Their 13 month old daughter, Oksana, is already a dog lover just like mom and dad.

ODIN JORGENSON - GRAND MARAIS, MN

Odin, 29, grew up in the world of mushing. As a child he helped and handled for his dad's numerous runs in the Beargrease. Odin has little racing experience but hopes years of wilderness travel with dogs and guidance from neighboring veteran mushers will help him bring a high quality team to this years race.

Odin helps run the family business Arleigh Jorgenson Sled Dog Adventures. Visit them at www.dogmushing.com Odin also owns the sled building company Sawtooth Mountain Sledworks. See Odins work at www.sawtoothsleds.com

SCOTT WHITE - WOODINVILLE, WA

Scott has been mushing for 10 years and racing for 5. His main interest is in mid to long distance racing and he has run in the Cascade Quest, Race to the Sky, Seeley 200 and scratched from the Iditarod in 2007.

RYAN ANDERSON – RAY, MN

Running dogs has been a way of life for Ryan since he was 5 years old. He ran his first race in 1992 and has been racing since. Ryan is a carpenter during the summer months and a musher during the winter. The kennel is a partnership with his brother and sister-in-law. They have 100 dogs which they raised from puppies.