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LATEST
SNIPPET
2016 is her
rookie year
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Biography
Mary Helwig, 32, was born
in Virginia. She says she always loved and wanted
to work with dogs, but growing up in southern
California, mushing never crossed her mind. After
her 2006 graduation from North Park University in
Chicago with a B.A. in Psychology, she moved to
Alaska to work for the Christian non-profit
organization, Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK.org).
She moved to Unalakleet to work as a youth leader
in the local church during the winters and head
cook at the Covenant Bible Camp 10 miles upriver
during the summers. She also spent many weekends in
the villages on the coast from Unalaklet to Nome
cooking for youth retreats and working with the
local youth. “I had my first experience on a
sled during a short women’s dog sled race put
on by the Norton Sound Sled Dog Club. I was
instantly hooked. After moving from Unalakleet, I
worked as a part time handler for Jonrowe Racing
Kennel to explore my interest. In 2011, I moved
back to Unalakleet to work for Siku Kennel and 2010
Iditarod musher William ‘Middy’ Johnson.
I ran my first mid-distance race that season (the
Portage 200) and I knew I was all in. I formed my
own team in 2013 and am thrilled to be running
Iditarod with my own dogs, seven of which I bred
and raised myself. Even though I lost my home and
nearly all my belongings in the Sockeye wildfire, I
am determined to run my first Iditarod in 2016. I
am looking forward to mushing ‘home’ to
Unalakleet and greeting my friends from there to
Nome.” For the last three years, Mary has
worked as a Financial Analyst and is now going to
school studying to be a veterinary technician. She
says she enjoys gardening, hiking and serving.
Results
2016 is her rookie
year
Contact:
m.facebook.com/bravokennel?ref=bookmarks
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