Looking back across the years…..

Sally and the Shady Pines Sled Dogs have been racing for 11 years, across the Northeast and Midwest in a diversity of races and formats. Some fun facts and figures (updated to include 2023’s impressive race performances!):

• Six 250 mile finishes—three UP200s (a 240 mile race), three Can Am 250s.

• Eight 100 mile races with two championship wins at the Can Am 100— While close to the podium in two 100 mile races (4th place in the Eagle Lake 2015 and Mahoosuc 100 2016), we finally came in first in the Can Am 100 in 2020 AND defending the championship with a 2-peat in 2022 with a smoking’ fast second leg. Second place in 2023!

• 11 years of Can Am racing, including two 30 miles, four 100 miles, and starting five 250s and finishing three.

• Four trips to the midwest—three UP200s and an attempt at the Beargrease Marathon in 2019.

• Three multi-day sprint/ stage races, the Great Northwoods Sleddog Challenge (2015 and 2023) and the Open Class Races at Laconia

• Of the current Shady Pines dogs in training, Oriana Fallaci has the most races listed here, having finished every race she’s started and been on almost every racing team since 2017, including the Can Am 100 winning team in 2020 and second place in 2023 at 7 years old. Oriana is nearing 10,000 lifetime miles, with seven racing seasons under her paws.

Below are the race results organized by year, many paired with a link to the blog post that described the race.

2023

Wilderness Race, Greenville ME Feb 4: 8 dogs, 35 miles (two teams)

First place: Skee, Jax, Flora, Cobalt, Squan, Fauci, Patch, Wocket
Fourth place: Willie Jr, Marian, Spiller, Razz, Oriana, Tap, Shucker, Vorace

Two teams raced this season opener, a true 35 mile race with one of the most challenging race courses I’ve run. I had a speed and race goal independent of how we’d place, which was to try to run a completely even split (or faster on the way home) and run the course in 3:05 or less. I came close to both! And came in first. Brianna came in 4th with excellent team management, and showing Shucker his first race. First race leading experience for Marian and Skee—Skee especially grew in confidence and it was so adorable and inspiring seeing her little jerk forward the few times we stopped.

Can Am Crown, Fort Kent Me, March 4: 10 dogs, 100 miles, 6 dogs, 30 miles (two teams)

Second place out of 23 teams in the 100: Skee, Jax, Flora, Cobalt, Squan, Marian, Oriana, Vorace, Wocket, Patch
7th place in the 30: Gemma, Willie Jr, Tap, Spiller, Shucker, Fauci

The Big One: the Can Am Crown! So close to a three-peat, but coming in second to a fabulous woman musher is a win in my mind. The 100 mile course was re routed due to logging, totalling a true 100 miles for the first time, and I had no idea how we’d perform with the spotty training in February and the entire season of inconsistent and challenging weather. The trail and weather conditions were the inverse of most Can Ams, hard and fast and cold in the morning, and warm and sloppy at night, leading to the first time I had a slower second leg in the four times I’ve run this race. The team showed up in their full strength and full power, with all their little quirks: Patch sitting and barking the entire checkpoint, Squan invisible in the middle of the team, Skee rising to the hard driving race leader her mom once was, and Vorace getting through a race thanks to his new care routine and special jacket. The emotional MVP goes to Oriana, in her 7th year of racing, showing up in her powerhouse self and exploding with joy to be running her favorite race with her favorite person, her leaping and barking at the finish line is a reminder of the power of love, and the transcendence of age and ability.

Blog post here.

Great northwoods Sleddog Challenge, PIttsburg, NH, March 11-13: 8-10 dogs, 14 dog pool
Stage 1 and 2: 23 miles
Stage 3: 18 miles

Third place: Gemma, Jax, Cobalt, Flora, Stella, Squan, Tap, Wocket, Patch, Vorace, Fauci, Shucker.
Raced a 10 dog team every day

This three-day stage race takes place in my home region, shorter legs and rolling hills, so it was a surprise to see the team average above 13 MPH and just keep speeding up faster and faster (which was slightly terrifying on that bundle of sticks known as a Danler). Skee had to sit the race out with a sore wrist after Can Am, but I was able to race the dynamic duo of Gemma and Jax together all three days. Gemma, Jax, Cobalt, Squan, Tap, Wocket and Patch ran all three days, with the others running 1-2 days. The dogs were consistent, and we had the second or third fastest time each day (never the fastest but that’s ok!). Friends came out from MI, and it was very special to share the trail with friend Lynne on the last day, running side by side for a few miles, both of us slowing down for the older dogs in our teams and enjoying the ride.

2022

Wilderness Sled Dog Race: 35 Mile Class

8 dogs, 35 miles, Greenville Maine

In the northeast, the consensus is that this 35 mile races is tougher than Can Am, and one musher who raced it this year for the first time called it the toughest race below 100 miles he’s ever run. With 3,000 feet of elevation gain, it’s always a tough race course, but this year the 18” of snow that fell up until 4 hours before the race made it exceptionally challenging. The prime race team performed exceptionally, coming in almost half an hour ahead of second place, and Brianna came in 6th, the first rookie to cross the finish line.

First place: Jax/ Gemma, Cobalt/ Flora, Vorace/ Jameson, Riptide/ Wocket. 3hr59min.

Sixth place (driven by Brianna Boiselle): Willie Jr/ Aurora, Marian/ Razz, Squan/ Skee, Orchid/ Tap Tap. 5 hr37 min

Laconia World Championships, Open Class

As many dogs as you want to hook up, 10-13 miles, Laconia NH

I took the distance Alaskans to race with the sprint hounds at the historic Laconia sled dog races. It was an incredible experience and I learned a lot, and will definitely be incorporating this race into the schedule in the future. Laconia has a 100-year history, the oldest sled dog race in the Northeast. Thank you to Danae Bryar for encouraging and sponsoring our entry!

8th place: Flora/ Jax (led both days), Cobalt/ Spiller, Gem/ Willie Jr, Skee/ Tap Tap, Squan/ Jameson, Riptide/ Wocket.
Also brought home the Sportsmanship Award! Thank you fellow mushers.

Can Am Crown Sled Dog Races

10 dogs, 80 miles (shortened course in 2022)
6 dogs, 30 miles (Brianna’s team)
Fort Kent, Maine

The big one. Can Am crown. The Super Bowl of the Northeastern sled dog racing circuit. 2022 had a super hard fast trail, and perfect weather conditions. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day of racing, after a sloggggy Greenville and a soft/ warm Laconia.

Successful defending of the Championship at the 100! Gemma/ Jax, Cobalt/ Flora, Willie/ Marian, Squan/ Skee, Wocket/ Vorace. 80 miles in 7hr27 minutes, with a faster second leg.

12th place in the 30 mile: Aurora/ Gem, Tap/ Spiller, Bruce/ Oriana

Read the write up of the race here.

2020

Blue Mountain Sled Dog Races, Feb 16th

8 Dogs, 30 miles, Grantham NH

I ran this race last year partly because the race trail travels through a land conservation project I was working on, and is supported by the Town of Grantham that I am doing another conservation project on. The race trail is also the most technical trail we’ll see all year, twisty and turny and with steep up and downhills. Last year I definitely flew around some corners that had me on one runner!

Thank you to the Town of Grantham and the Ausbon Sargant Land Preservation Trust for helping with the race, and for the fantastic team of Sheridan, Debbie, and Andy sponsoring dogs this year!!

First place in the 30 mile 8 dog race!: Aurora, Gemma, Willie Nelson Jr, Spiller, Rocky, Hippo, Gem and Flora. 27 miles in 2:25.

Second place in the 19 mile 6 dog race, driven by Sean deWolski: Ariel, Foxtrot, Loki, Joan Didion, Hawkeye and Inferno. 19 miles in 1:48.

Can Am 100, Feb 29th

10 dogs, 100 miles, Fort Kent ME
6 Dogs, 30 Miles (driven by Sean deWolski)

This will be the only ‘big race’ this year, and I’m looking forward to a weekend of fun. Since 2012, I have not missed a Can Am race. I had a great time in this race two years ago, and expect the same again. I do believe this is the best way to experience the Can Am community, and the best of the three Can Am races, as the race starts early, dogs rest through the heat of the afternoon, and you get to zoom home at dusk and fly through the twisty last 10 miles in the dark with a full fresh team. Thank you to my wonderful host family the Audiberts and to Elissa Gramling for coming back as a handler! Thanks also to Sean deWolski for driving ‘team tater tot’ (aka Ariel’s team) in the 30 mile race! Sean’s time was faster than my own personal best run in the 30 mile race back in 2013.

First place in the Can Am 100!! : Aurora, Gemma, Flora, Spiller, Rocky, Foxtrot, Gem, Willie Nelson Jr, Loki and Oriana Fallaci. 88 miles in 9:40. Read the race recap here.

Eighth place in the Can Am 30, driven by Sean deWolski: Ariel, Jasmine, Fauna, Swing, Hawkeye and Inferno. 30 miles in 3:24

2019

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, Jan 27th

12 dogs, 300 miles, Duluth MN

I had always set up a lot of conditions to run this race: a cool fall with good early miles, a strong and confident dog team, and the best handlers around. The stars aligned and the trip out to MN was possible! Special thanks go to super handler Elissa Gramling for driving to, and from, and for Maria Gaffney for joining from her home. Maria has, surprisingly, been the handler for my for my first time in big races: my first Can Am 250, my first UP200, and now my first Beargrease.

I scratched at the halfway point of Trail Center, due to injuries in the dog team. Read the write-up of the race here.

Can Am 250, March 2nd

12 dogs, 250 miles, Fort Kent Maine

I was so looking forward to returning to this race, and doing so in a way that was controlled—long rests, faster runs, and just running our own race. Aurora and Ariel both had lingering injuries from the Beargrease, a torn muscle in Aurora and a sore wrist in Ariel. Should I have moved down to the 100?

I took the gamble and stayed in the 250. We made it to Allagash, and then scratched on the last leg home. Read the writeup of this race here.

2018

Eagle Lake 100, Eagle Lake, ME

12 dogs, 100 miles, January 13th

The weather for this race was….interesting. Rain turned quickly to subzero temps, so in addition to the notoriously tough and steep trails, the team faced overflow and plowed roads. The first 100 mile race of the season is always a fun event, opening up the season with friends. Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who brought this race back!

8th place out of 11 teams, read the write-up of this race here. 

UP200, Marquette, MI

12 dogs, 240 miles, February 16th

This was a tough UP200, with an illness running through the team. We couldn’t have finished this race without two things: the skill of expert handler Al Borak, and spark plug Ariel truly rising to lead for the first time in a race, leading solo for the last 120 miles.

13th place out of 18 teams. Read the write-up of this race here.

Can Am 100, Fort Kent, ME

10 dogs, 100 miles, March 3

It might have taken all season, but that second leg of this race was the run I was waiting for: smooth, effortless speed, and the unbelievable confidence of Ariel leading solo. Like all 100 mile races, they are social events and this one was no exception.

11th place out of 18 teams. 

2017

Wilderness Race, Greenville, ME

10 dogs, 60 miles, February 4th

The team and I came into the finish line of this race and I said 'wait a minute, we're done???'. This was a great race among many friends, and was such a fun celebration. Every year I've run this race, it's a little bit different and I learn a little bit more about the dogs. 

6th place out of 12 teams. Read the write up of this race here. 

UP200, Marquette, MI

12 dogs, 240 miles, February 17-19 . 

I chose to travel to the UP200 for another year based on the memories of glistening golden sunrises and frigid winter winds. The 2017 UP200 still delivered on the sunrises, but the temps were warm and mushy. However, this race was one of our best-run races yet, coming into the finish with a full team of dogs that looked like they just started. I was so proud of the team in this race. Many thanks to Ed and Tasha Stielstra of Nature's Kennel for helping host us before the race, for helping find the handler team of Jon and A.J., and for the hilarious and supportive Lynne Witte for EVERYTHING. 

9th place out of 14 teams, as well as the Sportsmanship Award. Read the write up of this race here. 

Can Am 250, Fort Kent, ME

12 dogs, 250 miles, March 3-5

This was the fourth time in the race, and while each race is different, this one was particularly hard because of a unique set of challenges, as well as a complete re-drafting of the race format, race route, and race rules. This was the hardest Can Am yet, but also the most straightforward in some ways.  

9th place out of 14 teams. Read the write up of this race here.

2016

Mahoosuc 100, Milan NH

12 dogs, 100 Miles, January 23rd. This race was incredibly exciting because it not only happened in our backyard, we helped organize this first-time race event. 

4th place out of 17 teams. Read the write-up of this race here.

UP 200, Marquette, MI

12 dogs, 240 miles, February 12. Not long after the Mahoosuc 100, we pointed our noses to Michigan for the UP 200! This was a wonderful new adventure, and we only got there with the help from many hands. 

8th place out of 14 teams. Read the write-up of this race here.

Can Am Crown 250, Fort Kent ME

12 dogs, 250 miles, March 5. This was our the third time in the 250. The Can Am was my first real race, and it occupies a special place in my heart. 

6th place out of 15 teams. Read the write-up of this race here. 

2015

Eagle Lake 100: 4th place
12 dog race, 100 miles with 4 hour layover. 
Team: Bayley, Wembley, Grenade, Nibbler, Tawhio, Maihi, Taz, Thai, Luqa, Gunnar, House, Chase.

Wilderness 60: 3rd place
12 dog race
Team: Bayley, Wembley, Maihi, Gunnar, Nibbler, Ellie, Taz, Thai, Luqa, Chase, House. 

Can Am Crown 250: 9th place
12 dog 250 mile race, four checkpoints. 
Team: Bayley, Wembley, Maihi, Gunnar, Nibbler, Taz, Thai, Luqa, Chase, House, Tawhio. 

Great Northwoods Sleddog Challenge Sprint Class: 2nd place.
8 dog stage-style race with three legs and a 10 dog pool. 
Team: Bayley, Wembley, Maihi, Nibbler, Bryn, Ia, Flann, Grenade, Chase, Thai

2014

Wilderness 100: 7th place

2013

Can Am 30: 9th place.

2012

Can Am 30: 18th place