Meet The 2026 Mushers

60-Mile Race

Megan Moberly

This is my fourth time at the Wilderness Sled Dog Race and this trail is one of my favorites. I have been running dogs since 2013, starting with a rescue I ran recreationally. I now have my own team of working line Siberian Huskies under the kennel name Yukikaze Siberians. My goal is always the same, for my team and I to have fun on the trail and to finish strong with tight tugs and wagging tails. We appreciate the race and volunteers for what they do so that we can continue partaking in this wonderful event.

35-Mile Race

Sally Manikian

I’m excited to race here at Greenville once again! I love the challenging race course and the wonderful community that supports the race. Home is the White Mountains of northern NH, and my day job is working in land conservation, and I have been lucky enough to race on land I helped conserve for public access. I’ve been racing for 14 years: my first 100-mile race was here in Greenville and after running the 60 a few times, I have settled on the 35-mile race as the class for me (mostly because I’m not brave enough to run a 10-'dog team through the technical course at the start!). Many thanks to the secrets to the dogs success: my wonderful partner Chuck for helping keep dogs happy, healthy, and loved, and we wouldn’t be here without our friends, landowners, and neighbors—fixing ATVs, delivering straw, keeping trails open and maintained. We are very fortunate. Looking forward to racing!

4-Mile, 4-Dog Race

Shauna Baillie

Shauna is a biologist from Nova Scotia, Canada, with a lifelong love of dogs and wildlife. She discovered the world of mushing in 2017 after moving to Ottawa and quickly got hooked. Since then, she’s built a small team of six dogs, mostly Siberian Huskies, and spends her spare time canicrossing, bikejoring, scootering, running the rig, skijoring, and sledding. Her team for this year's 4-dog sled race includes Charlie, a 10-year-old female Inuit Dog mix, along with three purebred Siberian Huskies—Leia (8 yrs, female), her brother Obi (7 yrs, male), and their niece Rey (4 yrs, female).

60-Mile Race

Martin Massicotte

I have been mushing long-distance races since 1995. I was the champion of the last Wilderness 60-mile race. I had raced Yukon Quest in 2003 and Iditarod in 2022. I won the Can-Am Crown 250 miles 11 times and the UP200 last year for the first time. A book in French about my mushing expériences will be published in January 2026.

60-Mile Race

Paul Therriault

40 years of racing in all aspects of the sport. Won 2nd place in the Wilderness 60-mile in 2025, 2nd place in the Wilderness 35-mile race in 2023, and 3rd place in the Wilderness 35-mile race in 2022.

60-Mile Race

Fayth Weed

Fayth is a nurse & veterinary technician. When not working, she enjoys running her dogs & spending time walking with her four house dogs. This is her first time running the Wilderness 60.

35-Mile Race

Natasha Phaneuf

I'm beyond thrilled to be here! Castarek's is a kennel home to racing line purebred Siberian Huskies. I fell in love with the breed and never looked back; they became my passion, main purpose and greatest loves in life. I feel the most peace when running through the woods with my best friends. I began mushing 7 years ago, started dabbling in racing 5 years ago, and the last 3 years I became more serious towards mid distance racing. It's taken a lot of hard work, discipline, and determination to overcome many challenges. I am proud of this beautiful team no matter where we place. I am excited to enjoy our time adventuring these trails. Wishing everyone a fun and magical race!

1-Dog Skijor

Al Paradis

From Montville Maine, Al has been racing for 5 years.

60-Mile Race

Alex Gurka

I adopted my first Alaskan husky Loki in 2019 when I was looking for a companion for my own personal running goals but quickly fell in love with mushing in all forms. Currently I share my life with 20 dogs in central Maine. There's no better therapy than spending hours exploring the trails with the team.

60-Mile Race

Jeffrey Baril

Jeffrey Baril has been racing sled dogs since his youth and is continuing the tradition now with his own son. The pair will both take part in Wilderness Sled Dog 2026 classes, though they won't compete against each other. His son, Mathys Baril, will take on the 35-mile race.

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"Mushing since he was a kid, I always liked having dogs around. I have been putting 5 years of work into this team for going long distance, and I am coming here to race with my son as his first race ever!"

35-Mile Race

Julia Klaucke

I am so excited to be back running this race again. It's a beautiful landscape, and the dogs love all the twists and turns. There's no better way to explore the wilderness than on a dog sled. For us, it's all about being united on an adventure.

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Each dog brings something unique and special to the team, and it's neat to be back with the same team this year. I know the dogs are just as excited as I am to be out sharing the trail with other teams and having a blast on this course.

4-Mile Race, 4-Dog

Christine Vezina

Christine entered the world of mushing 15 years ago with a rescued Siberian who was a bit too much to be “just a pet.” Together they learned and 8 years ago started training up the 4-dog team she runs today.

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There is both a simplicity and challenge to working with individual dogs and small teams, and she is excited to be returning for their second Wilderness race!

35-Mile Race

Mathys Baril

"As a 13-year-old, I want to surpass myself and learn more with and about dogs on my path to becoming a veterinarian."

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Mathys is heading to Wilderness alongside his father, Jeffrey Baril. The pair will both take part in Wilderness Sled Dog 2026 classes, though they won't compete against each other. The elder Baril will take on the 60-mile race.

35-Mile Race

Garett Moore

I’ve been mushing dogs for 4 years, and this will be my 2nd year of racing. I came in 4th in this race last year, let’s see if we make the podium this time!

35-Mile Race

Lea Allen

English professor by day, musher by night (except I dislike running at night, so it's actually early morning!)! I enjoy being outside watching my four-legged companions come together as a team, so enthusiastic about each day and new trails.

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This is my 10th year with dogs, and I'm so thankful for all the friends I've made along the way and the support I've gotten that enables me to be here on the runners.

4-Mile, 2-dog Skijor

Veronica Despins

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of running a team of sled dogs. As I got older, I fell in love with Australian Shepherds, and so my dream evolved into running a dog team of Aussies! I’ve been running my Aussies in joring sports (canicross, bikejor, skijor) for over 10 years, and through the years, adding sports like agility, herding, dog sledding, conformation, and fast cat.

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I currently have my two main sport dogs, Attla (red tri), Koda (black bi), who are both 4 years old, and my retired first-ever joring partner, Brea, who will be 15 years old in April. Even though we may not compete with the endurance of Nordic breeds and speed of the hounds, we still very much enjoy getting out there and giving it all we got, supporting the local races and local racing teams!

35-Mile Race

Cas Simmons

"I have loved sled dogs for my entire life and feel so lucky to be trusted by Ingrid Bower and Patty Richards to run their dogs. Driving a sled down a quiet trail with the dogs as my only company is truly my favorite feeling in the world and I am so excited to enjoy the 35 miles of pristine wilderness with my team that I have ahead of me at Wilderness!

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I can’t wait to see what my mushing career has in store for me, and I am so thankful that it started at Thesewoods Kennels. Thank you Ingrid and Patty and happy trails to all mushers and dogs!"

35-Mile Race

Patty Richards

"I am excited to come back to this great race and amazing trail! The wilderness race in Greenville, Maine, is a musher favorite!

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Thesewoods Kennels are pure-bred Siberian huskies. My team is led by Elphaba and Miss Gulchie. With solid leaders and 6 other teammates, I can't wait to head out into the deep woods of Greenville, Maine. With a dedicated and terrific group of handlers, we are ready to run and tackle the trail. I want to thank my wife, Ingrid Bower, for all her support, mentoring, and leadership to bring me into this terrific sport. Love you, honey! See you at the finish line!"

4-Mile Race, 4-Dog

Sarah Gazo

"Wilderness is one of my favorite races that I look forward to each year. The 4-mile race allows my two yearlings to stretch their legs, have some fun, and gain some experience.

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Thank you for hosting!"

15-Mile Race

Aimee Nichols

"This is my first time racing at the Wilderness. My first race was the Can Am 30 last year with a borrowed team from Poland Springs Seppala Kennels and I now own a team with two of the dogs I raced last year.

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My team is 5 Seppala Siberian Sled Dogs, with 4-year-old Juneau as my leader, and one Yakutian Laika. Juneau also ran the Centennial Serum Run across Alaska last January/February."

35-Mile Race

Nicole Simas

"Originally from Massachusetts, Nicole now resides in Northern Vermont. Nicole's journey with sled dogs began five years ago, when she decided last-minute to join a dog-sledding internship through her university. Little did she know, she would soon be hooked!

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This is Nicole's first time competing at Wilderness, and she couldn't be more excited to get out there and see the trail everyone has been talking about!

Nicole would like to thank Ingrid and Patty for giving her the opportunity to run their dogs and experience this race. As well as the rest of the Thesewoods Crew, who have been hard at work training and caring for the dogs all season."

60-Mile Race

Mark Roberts

"I've been racing dogs for over twenty years, doing a combination of sprint, mid and distance races. I started out competing in New Zealand and have been in the US for eight years, racing all over North America. I'm very happy to be coming along with my Siberians!

15-Mile Race

Alexander Therriault

"Alexander Therriault was quite literally born to mush. He ran his first race at just three years old, driving a single dog, and has spent his entire life immersed in the world of sled dogs.

Raised in a mushing family, Alex grew up learning the traditions, responsibilities, and deep human/canine partnership that define the sport.

Today, Alex continues that lifelong passion both on the race trail and off. He is the owner and lead musher of The Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience in Canton, Maine, where he shares dog sledding with the public through guided, educational tours rooted in responsible animal care and respect for the dogs.

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Whether racing in events like the Can-Am Crown or introducing first-time visitors to sled dogs, Alex is committed to preserving the heritage of mushing while showcasing the athleticism, joy, and heart of his team.

Leading the race team are Hero and Forest, with Mario, Zeppelin, Dale, Tundra, Hansel, and Ridge powering the sled with strength, speed, and determination."

15-Mile Race

Melissa Dunn

"Melissa ran the Wilderness 4-dog race 3 years ago. She has spent her hiatus building her team and miles to race the 15-mile race this year with her trusty team of 6 Siberians. Lead Dogs Sage and Indigo, team dogs Freya and Jack and wheel dogs Hector and Starr. Melissa looks forward to the scenic trails and sharing the journey with her dogs."

60-Mile Race

Kasey McCarty

"We have been to this event quite a few times over the years and really enjoy the community and the trails! Looking forward to another challenging race that the Wilderness will bring. Thanks to all the volunteers and organization for putting on a class act race!

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We are a pure-bred Siberian Husky racing kennel and enjoy every mile we get to be together as a team on any trail!"

4-Dog 4-Mile Race

Shayla Stevens

"My name is Shayla Stevens. I've been dog sledding for 10 years. I was the 2023 Champion in both the 6-dog and 2-dog classes at the Highland Sled Dog Bradford races, with 11 podium finishes that season. I’m also a veterinary technician and a mom to a wild 3-year-old."

4-Dog 4-Mile Race

Jules Struzyna

"Jules is a 3rd-year Veterinary student at the University of Pennsylvania who has been mushing since high school. His 4 dogs come from the late Vermont musher Doug Butler. Originally from Philadelphia, Jules enjoys training on crowded urban trails and bringing dog sledding to areas that would not typically see it.

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His team today is led by Rocky and Grits, followed up by Muffin and Squish. All are so excited to be here!"

4-Dog 4-Mile Race

Carissa Daniels

"I got into mushing via canicross and my little rescue dog, Tink while living in Boston and had no idea of the ways it would change my life. Now, 8 years later, I've got a full 6 dog team, 8 dogs total, moved to rural Maine and drive a mini van. We're happy to be at Wilderness again!"

1-Dog Skijor, 4 Miles

Charlotte Carroll

"Charlotte Carroll Skijoring with Daisy. This is my fourteenth year of mushing. I started out with one dog skijoring. I have competed in skijoring, 4-dog and 6-dog races. Last year, I was up to a kennel of twelve dogs and completed the 35-mile Can-Am International Sled Dog Race. This year I have come full circle and have just one dog again. I have been a volunteer for this race three times, twice helping at the finish line with timing and one year helping out with announcing from a lawn chair with my foot in a cast. Thank you for putting on this race."

35-Mile Race

Emily Thomas-Kelly

"I'm a wife to my best friend and mom to 2 crazy boys. I'm a vet technician and mom to many fur and feather babies. This will be my 2nd year living my childhood dream of owning and racing a sled-dog kennel called the Milky Way Kennels. We have 14 dogs this year and are so excited to race again. Both me and my oldest son Aaron raced last year in Laconia NH. I also raced in CanAm 30 mile race with a team of 6 dogs. We both learned a lot and can't wait to see what this race will bring.

Ready let's go!"

4-Dog 4-Mile

Aaron Thomas-Kelly

"I'm 12 years old and am in the 6th grade. I love playing the piano and running dogs. This will be my second year racing with my mom. I love the cold air and seeing the speed and strength of my team as we run on the trail. I won 3rd place last year at Laconia nh youth race and am ready to go again with my furry friends."