Mary Helwig | As Herself

Mary Helwig always wanted to work with dogs, but while 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 Unalakleet 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.” Mary is a financial analyst and studying to be a veterinary technician.

Mary continues her recovery from 2015’s Sockeye Fire which burned her Willow, Alaska house to the ground, along with most of her belongings. Mary runs Bravo Kennel, her mid- and long-distance racing sled dog kennel.