Charley Shipley, artist, 2016 signed, limited race print
Sled Dogs, Historically
This is our thirty-first year for Race to the Sky. We are thrilled to be running a Commemorative Run on the former historic site of Camp Rimini War Dog Reception and Training Centeron Friday night. Come watch the 300 mile teams run into the night on the same trails on which World War II soldiers and dogs trained.
Camp Rimini was a dog mushing mecca at the base of McDonald Pass. The 125 soldiers/mushers trained approximately 800 sled dogs and100 pack dogs. They made mushers out of soldiers who knew very little about dog mushing. “Men and dogs were brought to Rimini from all over the country. The variety of dogs ranged from purebred sled dogs, Alaskan Malamutes, Samoyeds, Alaskan-type huskies and Siberian Huskies. These dogs were primarily sled dogs that were purchased.” Race to the Sky Educational Book (1992, P. Beckstrom).
The camp was a training ground for the Invasion of Norway which was cancelled about a year and a half into the mission. Soldiers at Camp Rimini then focused on search and rescue training. They needed equipment for harsh climates and difficult terrain. Sleds were made of ash and runners were made of oak or hickory wood lined with steel. The sleds were tied together with rawhide using no nails or screws. Each type of sled could carry at least 500 pounds or more, depending on construction.
The search and rescue units worked with other branches of the military to search for missing planes. Dogs, men and sleds were transported as close to crash sites as possible and the search would begin. Altogether, the teams brought out approximately 300 casualties, 150 survivors, and salvageable equipment worth millions of dollars. We salute these amazing war dogs and commemorate Camp Rimini.
Since then, well over 600 teams have run these historic trails over the past 31 years. Join us for the opportunity to see these canine athletes run the Camp Rimini trails, just outside of Helena, at 5:30 on Friday night. Join us around the bonfire, have something to eat and wait for the teams to finish their fifteen mile run. They will be back before you know it. Then, drive to Lincoln on Saturday to see all the teams start their continuous races. Everyone is invited. I’ll be there and I hope to see you.
Pam Beckstrom
Race Secretary/ Historian/31 year Volunteer
Race to the Sky Schedule - February 12-16, 2016
Friday, Feb. 12, Helena
8:30-11:00 a.m. School Visits for 300 Mile Mushers
11:00-1:00 p.m. 300 Mile Vet Check, YMCA, 1200 N. Last Chance Gulch
5:30-7:00 p.m. Camp Rimini Commemorative Run, Rimini Road, near
Helena, bonfire, food vendors, 300 teams running
Saturday, Feb. 13, Hi-Country Snack Foods, Lincoln
11:30-1:00 p.m.Jr. and Adult 100 Mile Vet Check
2:00 p.m. Official start of all races
Saturday, Feb. 13, White Tail Ranch Checkpoint, Ovando
Sunday-Monday, Feb. 14-15, Seeley Lake
5:30 a.m.-noon 100 Mile teams finish, Morrell Creek Trailhead
6:00 a.m.- on 300 Mile teams into SL Community Center
Afternoon 100 Mile Awards at SL Community Center
Monday, Feb. 15, Owl Creek Wilderness-Seeley Lake Checkpoint
Monday-Tuesday, Feb. 15-16, Hi-Country Snack Foods, Lincoln
5:00 p.m. Mon. on 300 Mile finish continued, must finish by 3:00 p.m. Tuesday
Tuesday, Feb. 16, Helena
6:00-8:00 p.m. 300 Mile Awards Dinner, St. Paul’s United MethodistChurch, 512 Logan Street
Visit our website at updates or Fb
PACK DOGS ($10,000+)
Bert & Ernies - Helena
Microbrew Review & Cool Dog Ball - Helena
Benefit for Race to the Sky
The Pocket Foundation - Veterinarian Support Sponsor 100 Mile Junior Race Sponsor
SENTRY DOGS/GUARD DOGS ($2,000+)
Bruggeman Endodontics & Implants - Great Falls
Tuffy's Pet Foods - makers of Nutri Source Dog Food
MESSENGER DOGS ($501+)
Adanac Sleds & Equipment -
Hi-Country Snack Foods, Inc. –Lincoln
- Seeley Lake Property #285029 - Steve Peterson
Northwind Distributing – Bozeman
Rockin' Rudy's - Missoula's race merchandise outlet
White Tail Ranch –Ovando
RETIRED MILITARY DOGS (Under $500)
Adkins Alaskan Huskies - Sand Coulee
All Decked Out -Seeley Lake
BMC, LLC, Rader Creek
Cabela's – Missoula
Cat Creek Energy - Gooding, Idaho
Central Parts Company -Helena
Citizen’s Alliance Bank - Seeley Lake
Cory's Valley Market - Seeley Lake - checkpoint food sponsor
Big Sky Brokers, LLC, - Ellen Allen, Inc. - Helena
Capital Trail Association - 4 wheelers
D. A. Davidson - Missoula - Frank D'Angelo
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Helena
Exergy Development Group - Helena
FireTower Coffee -Helena
Food Services of America - Billings
Genesis Frame Shop & Gallery, LLC - Helena - official race frame shop
Glen's Automotive Service - Seeley Lake
Great Bear Properties - Seeley Lake
Heritage Office Stop - Seeley Lake - official race printer
Moose River Bar & Grill - Seeley Lake
Lisac's Tire - Butte
Murdoch's - Helena
P-Pods - Helena
Pop's Place Drive Inn - Seeley Lake
PowderWerks Powder Coating - Helena
Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Inc. - Seeley Lake
R. C. Snowhooks – Bozeman – Randy Camper
Seeley Chicken Coop & Lounge - Seeley Lake
Sonny's Septic - Lincoln
Stiles Lawn Care - Bozeman
Sysco Montana, Inc. - Billings
Terminal Food Center, Inc. - Butte
Teton Lumber Company - Choteau
Troy Library Chess Club - Troy
Wolf Studios - Whitehall
YMCA – Helena
Special thanksfor support, in-kind and other donations
Boy Scouts - Helena
Butterfly Herbs - Missoula
Liz and Jerry Cain – Lincoln
Jody Deveraux – South Dakota
Genesis Frame Shop & Gallery - Helena - framingsupport
General Mercantile - Helena
Great Harvest Bread - Helena
Helena Kennel Club
Helena Parks & Recreation Department
Helena Snowdrifters - Trail support
Helena Stamp Works
Hide & Sole Leather Goods & Footwear – Missoula
Lincoln Iron Works
Lisa Iron Cloud - Sunburst quilt
Mackenzie River Pizza - Helena
Tracy O'Reilly - Missoula
Barbie Nelson –Butte - Executive chef- awards dinner - Butte
Pepsi Distributors of Helena
Ponderosa Driftriders - Trail support - Lincoln
Seeley Lake Driftriders
Starbucks - Helena
Tri-County Retired Senior Volunteer Program
U.S. Forest Service
Van's Thriftway - Helena
Wingate Hotel -Helena - official race hotel in Helena
First place finishers of the past 500, 350 and 300 mile races:
1986 / Linwood Fiedler / Governor’s Cup 500 / 2001 / Sarah Spinola / 3501987 / Mark Nordman / Governor’s Cup 500 / 2002 / Harmony Kanavle / 350
1988 / Linwood Fiedler / Governor’s Cup 500 / 2003 / Jason Barron / 350
1989 / Greg Swingley / Centennial SD Race / 2004 / John Barron / 350
1990 / Dean Osmar / Race to the Sky 500 / 2005 / Cancelled / 350
1991 / Doug Swingley / 500 / 2006 / John Barron / 350
1992 / Greg Swingley / 500 / 2007 / Mark Stamm / 350
1993 / Robin Jacobson / 500 / 2008 / Tom Thurston / 350
1994 / Jessie Royer / 500 / 2009 / Mark Stamm / 350
1995 / Maria Hayashida / 500 / 2010 / Rick Larson / 350
1996 / Cliff Roberson / 500 / 2011 / Curt Perano / 350
1997 / Cliff Roberson / Race to the Sky 350 / 2012 / Warren Palfrey / 350
1998 / Christian Clerc / 350 / 2013 / Alea Robinson / 350
1999 / Jean LaCroix / 350 / 2014 / Jenny Greger / 350
2000 / Butch Parr / 350 / 2015 / Jessie Royer / 300
Thanks to all the race organizers and volunteers who shared this vision over the years. What an amazing vision … what an amazing legacy.
2016 Musher Bios
300 Mile Adult
Bryce Mumfordis a 34 year old mailman from Preston, Idaho. He completed the 2014 Rocky Mountain Sled Dog Championship Race and the 2015 Race to the Sky. Bryce races Alaskan huskies and leaders will be Ishtar, Silver and Kodi. He has been mushing for 5 years. Sponsors are Grandma Florence Mumford and his family.
Jessie Royeris a 39 year old horse wrangler, horse teamster and dog musher from Darby, Montana. She won the 2015 Race to the Sky 300, finished numerous Iditarod's, placing well each time, won the invitational La Grande Odyssey in France, enjoys horses, hunting, mounted shooting and photography, this is her fourth Race to the Sky, winning it the first time when she was only 17 years old and it was a 500 mile race.
Mark Stammis a 58 year old yacht painter from Riverside, Washington. He operates Black Thunder Kennel and races Alaskan huskies crossed with border collies, shepherd and bird dogs. Stamm got his start running Malamutes in 1976 and switched to Alaskans in 1981. He has run Race to the Sky many times, winning a perfect race in 2009 and another first place in 2007. His house burned down in a forest fire in August and he would like to thank all the people who helped him be able to race this year. In the lead will be Elmly and Blaze.
Brett Bruggeman is a 45 year old dentist/dog musher from Great Falls, Montana. His family operates Skinny Leg Sleddogs and has been mushing for 4 years. In the lead will be Scabs and Shout and this is his fourth Race to the Sky. He recently won the Eagle Cap Extreme 200 with his team of Alaskan Huskies. In his spare time he enjoys horses and falconry.
Jennifer Campeauis a 42 year old owner of guest cabins from Mountain House, Alberta. She enjoys golfing, horseback riding and coaching when she isn't mushing. She has been mushing for 2 years. Her leaders include Swisher, Amigo, Hondo, Kuna and Steam Dot. She won Eagle Cap 62 mile race last month and this is her first Race to the Sky.
Josi Thyr is a 22 year old insurance agent from Cataldo, Idaho who operates There & Back Again Racing. She has been racing for 10 years and runs Alaskan huskies. In the lead will be Saxon andJingle. In her spare time she enjoys writing and running. She received the Best Cared for Team Award and third place in 2013 and 2014 at Eagle Cap Extreme and sixth place in the 2013 Race to
the Sky. Josi is sponsored by Scheffelmaier Meats, Timbertop Ranch and Grandma Beggs.
Doog White is a 29 year old mule packer guide/outfitter originally from Snowmass Village, Colorado. He enjoys hunting, fly-fishing and outdoor activities in his spare time and will be running J Team Kennel Alaskan huskies from Jessie Royer’s kennel. This is his first year dog mushing and in the lead will be Dogwood. Personal sponsor: Jessie Royer.
Gerry Walker is a 63 year old cowboy/rancher from Pierceland, Saskatchewan, Canada. Gerry has been mushing for 15 years and enjoys dogs, hunting and fishing in his spare time. He races Alaskan huskies, primarily Swingley breeding. In the lead will be Clancey, Patsy and Abbey. He is a 3 time winner of the Canadian Challenge, 6 time LaRonge 120 winner and this is his second Race to the Sky.
100 Mile Adult
Roy Etnire is a 60 year old millwright from Seeley Lake, Montana. He operates Mystik North Sleddogs and has been mushing for seven years. He won the 2014 Eagle Cap 100, the Race to the Sky 100 in 2013 and 2014 and received the 2014 Best Cared for Team Award at Race to the Sky. In the lead will be Sidney, Gondor and Chattie Kathy. Roy runs Alaskan huskies, Cindy Gallea background.
John LaGowis a 28 year old rafting and dogsledding guide from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He has been mushing for five years. His leaders will be Crosby and Rico. He will be racing dogs from Grizzle-T Kennel & Sled Works. In his spare time, he enjoys whitewater paddling and fly fishing.This is his first Race to the Sky. Sponsors are Grizzle-T and Mike and Cathy LaGow.
Jenny Greger is a 20 year old college student, musher and dog trainer from Bozeman, Montana, who races Alaskan husky/Belgian Shepherd crosses. She won the 2014 Race to the Sky 350, the 2011 and 2012 Junior 100s, received the Sportsmanship Award twice and many Best Cared for Team Awards. In the lead are Bella and Alice. Sponsors: Double Diamond Vet Clinic, Dr. Sid Erikson, Honda Power Play, Nutri Source Dog Food, Northwest Distributing, Jerry Meyers Aviation and FARR Automobile.
Laura Daugereau is a 33 year old carpenter/builder and dog musher from Kingston, Washington, currently living in Stockett, Montana. She has been mushing for over 20 years. In the lead will be Daisy and Wily and she operates Night Runner Kennel. Shehas run Race to the Sky 10 times, 4 second place finishes in the 300 andalso the Best Cared for Team Award. Laura is sponsored by Cornerstone Home Services, Great Falls Vet Clinic, Redpaw Dog Food and Northwind Sleds.
Rick Larson is a 48 year old equipment operator from Sand Coulee, Montana. He has been mushing over 20 years. In the lead will be Farce and Alfalfa and he will be running dogs from Night Runner Kennel. Rick has won theLower 48, Can-Am Crown,UP 200, Seeley Lake 200 and Race to the Sky 350 in 2010 andfour Iditarod finishes.
Steve Riggs is a 60 year old auto parts technician from Olney, Montana. He has been mushing for 20 years and he and wife, Wendy, operate Snowbound Kennel. In the lead will be Callie and Jersey. Steve races Alaskan huskies, Barron lines. He has recently run the Darby Dog Derby and the Flathead Classic. This is his fifth Race to the Sky placing third and fifth in the last two races. Sponsored by Wendy Riggs and Continental Kennel Club.
Anna Bolvin is a 54 year old beekeeping business owner from Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, Canada. She and her family operate Knudsen Kennels and races Alaskan huskies, Streeper and Cook breeding. She has recently raced the Canadian Challenge and the Eagle Cap Extreme. In the lead will be Yksi and Achilles. She is sponsored by Knudsen’s Honey, Inc.
Miriam Lindstahl is a 19 year old student from Stockholm, Sweden. She is new to mushing and has been running Knudsen Kennels Alaskan huskies. She is visiting from Sweden to handle for Anna Bolvin and George Knudsen this year and is getting lots of experience running dogs. This is her first race. Personal sponsors are Knudsen’s Honey, Inc. and Knudsen Kennels.
Laurie Warren is a 52 year old mule trainer from Council, Idaho. She has been racing for 5 years and operates Team Warren with her sons, Trevor and Garrett. In the lead will be Mayaand Rosemary, Alaskan huskies. She recently won the Eagle Cap Extreme 100. This is her third Race to the Sky100, finishing third last year and taking home the Best Cared for Team Award. Personal sponsor - Dog & Cat Wellness Clinic.
Steve Madsen is a 51 year old attorney from Cougar, Washington. He and wife, Janet, operate Sirius Sled Dogs. In the lead will be Scandal, Leppard, Carli and Colors, Alaskan huskies. In his spare time, he enjoys horses, gardening and reading. He has run the Eagle Cap Extreme, Bachelor Butte Dog Derby, the 2005 Iditarod and this is his ninth Race to the Sky. He has also been a Board member and a Trail Boss for Race to the Sky.
Junior Race to the Sky 100
Spencer Bruggemanis a 14 year old student from Great Falls, Montana. He has raced the 100 mile race 3 times and helps with the family kennel, Skinny Leg Sleddogs. He is the person who got his dad, Brett, interested in running sled dogs and they train together all season. He is sponsored by his mom and dad, Suzette and Brett Bruggeman.
HoldenPaul is a 14 year old student from Rexburg, Idaho. He has raced the Rodeo Run, K9 Challenge and American Dog Derby in the last 5 years. He is running dogs from Klondike Dreams Kennel (Charlotte Mooney). In the lead will be Nickel and Midge and when he isn't dog mushing, he likes to work on cars. This is his first Race to the Sky. Personal sponsors are Klondike Dreams Sled Dog Rides and Northwind Sleds & Distributing.
CharmayneMorrison is a 15 year old student from Polson, Montana. She and her family operate Morrison Racing Kennel and she hasbeen mushing for 2 years.In the lead will be Sprite, Roman and Rafael.She is running Alaskan huskies from Swingley/Barnum and Ferraro lines.This is her first Race to the Sky.
Directions to Checkpoints/Events
YMCA, 1200 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, follow Highway 12 into Helena until it crosses Last Chance Gulch, go north on Last Chance Gulch ½ block and turn into YMCA.
HELENA TO HISTORIC CAMP RIMINI, Follow Highway 12 (Helena side of McDonald Pass). At the bottom of McDonald Pass, turn left on Rimini Road past Moose Creek Campground on the right ¼ mile. Park on right side of the road.
HELENA TO HI-COUNTRY SNACK FOODS, LINCOLN, Follow Highway 12 past Elliston and Avon. Turn right (north) at Highway 141 just beyond Avon, cross the railroad tracks, and follow Hwy. 141 for 34 miles to the end of the Helmville Road. At the stop sign intersecting Highway 141 and Highway 200, turn right (east) toward Lincoln and travel 16 miles. Hi-Country Snack Foods is on the left side of the road (going toward Lincoln) from the Helmville Road. Race starts and 300 mile finish is under the beautiful archway.