2012 CopperDog 35 Trail

by Todd Brassard
on February 18, 2012

Race Distance

Single Stage - 39.9 miles (same route as last year)

Trail GPS Data (best viewed in Google Earth)

One of the absolutely best ways to explore the 2012 CD150 trail in advance of race weekend is to open the following trail data file inside of Google Earth.  Google Earth is free.  You can download and installed it on your PC or MAC.  After Google Earth is installed on your computer, download the CD150 Trail Data file.  Once the trail data file is downloaded and saved to your computer, open the data file in Google Earth. 

Download GPS Data

The GPS data contains the CD150 routes and the CD35 route.  The GPS data also contains the locations of all of the crossings for each stage.  To view CD35 route data in Google Earth, put a check mark next to CD35-2012 and CD150-2012-Stage1-Crossings.

Another handy feature in Google Earth is the ability to view an elevation profile.  Simply right-click on a stage route and select Show Elevation Profile from the menu.

Google Maps Online Map

Here is a quick and easy way to view to 2012 CD150 route online.  Just follow the links below to view the various stages.

View Online Maps

CopperDog 35 - Online Map

Route & Elevation Profiles

These are snapshots from the Google Earth GPS data files show elevation information for each stage.

CopperDog 35 - Calumet to Vansville Bar

The CopperDog 35 Competitive Race

35-Mile, Single Stage, 6-Dog, $1,000 Purse, Award 1st - 3rd, Max 15 Teams

For those race teams not looking to compete in the long race, we offer the CopperDog 35 recreational race. This 35-mile, 6-dog race enjoys the same excitement and energy as the pro-class, including the fabulous downtown Calumet start. Recreational teams will leave immediately following the pro-class teams.

Race Dates:
March 2, 2012

Race Format:
Competition-Class, 6-Dog,
35 Miles, 1 Stage

Race Purse:
$1,000 (1st - 12th)

Max Teams:
15 Teams

1 Stage:
Calumet to (to be determined, as of 9/24/2011 we are still evaluating finish locations)

Don’t miss out on the friendly people, welcoming communities, challenging trails, formidable competition, and the peace and tranquility that blossoms from the Keweenaw trails at night.

We're upping the competition in 2012 by adding a $1,000 purse to the CopperDog 35.  Award money will be paid to first through third place.  There is a limit of 15 teams for this event, register early to secure your position.

The Keweenaw Peninsula is one of the most unique geographic features of the Great Lakes region. "Lake-effect" snow storms contribute to the average 273 inches of snow-fall each year making the CopperDog 150 the perfect choice for a mid-March race. Experience of the CopperDog 35 for yourself!

2012 Welcome Luncheon & Awards Dinner

prepared by Chef Mark Pittillo and Portage Health Food Services

Mushers Welcome Luncheon Menu

($10/person, kids 9 and under eat for free)

ITALIAN ANTIPASTO PLATTERS
(marinated vegetables, meats and cheeses)

CAESAR SALAD
(romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese in a creamy dressing)

GARLIC CHEESE BREAD
(Old School Bakery ciabatta with fresh garlic and mozzarella cheese)

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE
(a rich sauce of meat and vegetables)
&
SPAGHETTI MARINARA
(vegetarian tomato sauce)

ASSORTED DESSERTS
(chocolate, cheesecake and fruit tarts)

ASSORTED BEVERAGES
(Starbucks coffee, Tazo teas, juices and soft drinks)

CopperDog 150 Awards Dinner Menu

($15/person, kids 9 and under eat for free)

Hand Carved Roast Beef
(served with au jus and creamy horseradish)
or
Oven Roasted Wild Salmon
(served with lemon-dill sauce)

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
&
Wild Pilaf

Roasted Vegetable Platters
(assorted vegetables roasted and dressed with balsamic vinaigrette)
&
Salad of Mixed Greens
(served with assorted dressings)
&
Fresh Assorted Breads from Old School Bakery

Dessert
******
Warm Bread Pudding

Beverage Service
*****
Tazo Tea
Starbucks Coffee
Portage Water
Keweenaw Brewing Company
Pick Axe Blonde
Red Jacket Ale

2012 Race Officials

Our roster of race officials is coming together nicely.  We will being trying to post a little biographic information on each offical as we coax the information out of them.  See our About Us page for more information on the people who make the CopperDog 150 possible.

• Todd Brassard, Race Director
  
• Abbey Green, Asst. Race Director
• Meredith LaBeau, Asst. Race Director
• Peter Curtice, Race Marshall
  
• Sharon Nelson-Curtice, Race Judge
• John Trapper Bergeson, Race Judge
  
• Jeff Foss, Trail Boss
• Brad King, Volunteer Coordinator
• Brett Matuszak, Start/Finish Coordinator
• Jason Makela, Chief Handler
• Henrique A. de Melo e Silva, Chief Timer
• Mark Pittillo, Race Chef
  

2012 Race Veterinarians

We extended our warmest welcome, appreciation, and thank you to race veterinaries Jeff Ladd, Jean Wilcox, Tomas Gustafson, and Kendra Carlson for providing professional veterinary services for the 2012 CopperDog 150 races.

We understand that each of you makes sacrifices in your personal lives and professional practices to provide the critical veterinary services that the CopperDog 150 requires.  The event and the benefits it provides to mushers, volunteers, spectators, and the many organizations of our small community would not be possible with the gift of your time and talent.

Thank you for the education, skill, experience, and expertise you bring to our event and the love and care you give the dogs.  We hope you enjoy the hospitality of our community.

Meet our Veterinary Team

For more information about our vet team visit our About Us page.

• Jeff Ladd, DVM (Chief Vet)
• Jean Wilcox, DVM
• Thomas Gustafson, DVM
• Kendra Carlson, DVM
• Nick Vukich, DVM
  
• Meghan Marks, CVT
• Beckie Kilvington, CVT
• Chris Shriever, CVT
• Heather Feldhusen, CVT
• Keri Mahoney, Vet Assistant
• Lynne French, Vet Assistant

Veterinary Technicians & Assistants Needed

With upwards of 400 dogs to care for, our veterinary staff has its hands full.  We are always in need of more Veterinary Technicians and Volunteer Assistants to support and aid our Veterinarians.  If you have veterinary training and would like to volunteer to work the CopperDog 150 along side our team, please send an e-mail to toddbrassard@copperdog150.com or call 960-370-9972.

2012 CD35 Who's Registered?

We would like to thank all of the participants registered to compete in the CopperDog 35.  We greatly appreciate your participation and the positive impact you have on our communities.  Now let's have a great race weekend!  Thank you.

Finished

Monday, November 14, 2011 10:52 PM

Chad Grentz

Frost Creek Kennel

Nisula, MI 49952

Finish Position: 2

Vet Check Slot: 10:20 AM

Chad Grentz is from Nisula... where he started mushing as a kid. He’s completed eight races... and usually finishes in the middle of the pack. Chad enjoys hunting and fishing... and most outdoor activities. His lead dogs are Boom and Moon. From Frost Creek Kennel... please welcome Chad Grentz.

Starting Chute Song: Kickstart My Heart

Finished

Monday, September 26, 2011 12:31 PM

Lynne Witte

Iskristall Kennels

Mt. Clemens, MI 48043

Finish Position: 3

Vet Check Slot: 9:40 AM

Lynn Witte took a trip to Alaska to see the Iditarod... and got hooked. She’s finished more than a half-dozen races... and placed as high as third. She also enjoys canoe racing, cross-country skiing and skijoring. Her lead dogs are Puddle and Timber. She lives downstate in Mount Clemens... but races out of Nature’s Kennels in McMillan. Please welcome Lynn Witte...

Starting Chute Song: Dancing Queen, ABBA

Host Family: Brian and Michelle Donahue, 370-0445

Finished

Sunday, February 19, 2012 10:22 PM

Matt Schmidt

Glenwood City, WI 54013

Finish Position: 4

Vet Check Slot: 1:40 PM

Matt Schmidt got his start as a musher by helping out at a Y-M-C-A camp. He also enjoys canoeing and most other outdoor activities. Matt has completed four or five competitive races. His lead dogs are Judy Blume and Brewer... he says it’s Brewer that drives the team. From Schmidt Altemus Kennels in Glenwood City,Wisconsin... please welcome Matt Schmidt...

Starting Chute Song: Hey Jude, Beatles

Host Family: Trisia Kappler, 482-3723?

Finished

Monday, September 26, 2011 8:59 PM

Alex LaPlante

Esko, MN 55733

Finish Position: 5

Vet Check Slot: 9:20 AM

Alex LaPlante is filling in for her husband, David Mills... who’s out with a back injury. She’s also an accomplished musher... and a veterinarian. Alex and David also raise horses. Their lead dogs are Grindel and Russell... Russel has run the Iditarod. From Esko, Minnesota... racing out of Maple Ridge Kennels... please welcome Alex LaPlante...

Starting Chute Song: Flirtin' With Disaster, Molly Hatchett

Finished

Monday, February 06, 2012 10:24 PM

Anne-Marie Coy

Lake Effect Racing

Iron River, WI 54847

Finish Position: 6

Vet Check Slot: 12:40 PM

Anne-Marie Coy has raised dogs for a dozen years... but is relatively new to racing. She’s finished in the middle of the pack in four or five races. Anne-Marie also raises dairy goats, and makes cheese. Her lead dogs are Grease and Flower... and she represents Lake Effect Racing. From Iron River, Wisconsin... please welcome Anne-Marie Coy.

Starting Chute Song: Send Me On My Way, Rusted Root

Finished

Monday, September 26, 2011 9:00 PM

Eva Kolodji

Sweet Wind Kennel

Hibbing, MN 55746

Finish Position: 7

Vet Check Slot: 1:40 PM

Eva Kolodji is racing for her friend Elizabeth Chapman. Eva had her first rides with a family friend and then her family got three sled dog puppies and it was the beginning of her mushing. She finished the Beargrease as the youngest person to ever complete that race. Lead dogs could be Kiwi, Brook ,Bernard or Apple. Welcome second year colloge student, Eva Kolodji

Starting Chute Song: Firework, Katy Perry

Finished

Monday, February 20, 2012 9:06 PM

Thomas Clark

Amherst, WI 54406

Finish Position: 8

Vet Check Slot: 1:00PM

Thomas Clark has been mushing for 25 years and has completed 40 races finishing wherever the dogs decide. His lead dogs today are Belle and Juneau. From Amherst, WI, please welcome Thomas Clark

Starting Chute Song: Black Betty

Finished

Saturday, January 28, 2012 9:12 PM

Tim Wood

Team Evergreen

Skandia, MI 49885-9531

Finish Position: 9

Vet Check Slot: 10:40 AM

Timothy Wood started as a handler for Team Evergreen in Marquette... then graduated to training six-dog teams The CopperDog 35 is his first race. His lead dogs are Peaches and Chickadee. Timothy teaches high school welding and auto mechanics and enjoys sailing, reading and playing the tuba. Please welcome Timothy Wood.

Starting Chute Song: Thunderstruck, ACDC

Finished

Sunday, February 12, 2012 4:18 PM

Susan Serafini

Two Hearted Kennel

Hancock, MI 49930

Finish Position: 10

Vet Check Slot: 11:40 AM

Susan is a local musher from Hancock. Her Kennel is the Two Hearted Kennel and her lead dogs are Blue and Alex, a great, hard-driving combination. She has completed 20 races and her other hobbies are mountain biking and bee-keeping.Please welcome Susan Serafini

Starting Chute Song: When We Run, May Erlewine & Seth Bernard

Finished

Thursday, February 09, 2012 5:58 PM

Krystal Hagstrom

Firestar Kennel

Ashland, WI 54806

Finish Position: 11

Vet Check Slot: 1:40PM

Krystal Hagstrom , Fire Star Kennel, comes from Ashland, WI.She has completed 3 races finishing in the middle of all three. Her lead dogs are Pele, a wonderful dog and a good listener and Keri and together they make an amazing team .Please welcome Krystal Hagstrom

Starting Chute Song: Live Wire, Motley Crew

Finished

Friday, February 17, 2012 7:41 PM

Jeremy Hoover

Debs kennel

Chassell, MI 49916

Finish Position: 12

Vet Check Slot: 11:40 AM

Jeremy Hoover is another local musher,hailing from Chassell. He started with his interest in mushing in Alaska and has completed 6 races. His lead dogs are Bishop who has Iditarod experience and Painter who is good in wind. Jeremy enjoys any winter outdoor sports Please welcome Jeremy Hoover

Starting Chute Song: Rock of Ages, Def Leppard

Finished

Thursday, October 27, 2011 1:31 PM

Randy Foust

Mountain, WI 54149

Finish Position: 13

Vet Check Slot: 1:00 PM

Randy Foust represents the Foust Racers from Mountain, Wisconsin. Randy says he was into winter camping... read some books on mushing... and “went over the deep end.” He’s a veteran racer, and often finishes in the top-10. In the summer, he grows flowers and vegetables. Randy’s lead dogs are Dewey and Zephyr. Please welcome... Randy Foust.

Starting Chute Song: Don't Eat Yellow Snow, Frank Zappa

Finished

Thursday, September 15, 2011 8:10 PM

Jerry Trudell

...Sharks Came Racing

Calumet, MI 49913

Finish Position: 13

Vet Check Slot: 9:00 AM

Jerry Trudell is from Calumet... and got into dogsled racing after a chance meeting with veteran racer Truman Obermeyer. He’s run 10 races... and finished in the top-10 in seven of them... including a second-place finish at this year’s U-P 200 Midnight Run. Jerry’s lead dogs are Promise and Button. From right here in Calumet... please welcome Jerry Trudell...

Starting Chute Song: Dog Days Are Over, Florence & The Machine

Finished

Tuesday, September 27, 2011 2:41 PM

Jim Winkowski

Snowy Plains Kennel

Gwinn, MI 49841

Finish Position: 14

Vet Check Slot: 10:20 AM

Jim Winkowski and his wife Jackie got started with dogs by watching the UP200, then leasing a team, then skijoring... then began building their own kennel in 1993. Jim has completed nearly 20 races. He’s also a snowshoer and former marathon runner. Prancer will lead his team in the race. From Snowy Plains Kennel in Gwinn, please welcome Jim Winkowski...

Starting Chute Song: I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers

Waiting List

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 8:48 PM

Ken Josefsen

Caribou Creek Racing Team

Eben Junction, MI 49825

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Monday, February 06, 2012 3:53 PM

Amber Evans

Silent Night Sled Dogs

Milaca, Mn 56353

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot: 11:20

Amber Evans attended her first sled-dog race when she was a college student in Bemidji, Minnesota and started mushing about 3 years ago. She’s completed 10 races... and her best finish is fourth. Her lead dogs are Kid Rock and Toby... she says they’re both “hyper.” Representing Silent Night Sled Dogs in Milaca, Minnesota... please welcome Amber Evans.

Starting Chute Song: Country Girl Shake, Luke Bryan

Withdraw

Saturday, October 01, 2011 11:22 PM

Brad Quayle

Call Out Kennel

Champion, MI 49814

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Friday, October 28, 2011 7:10 AM

S. Leigh Hunteman

Raven Wing's Kennel

Cambridge, MD 21613

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Thursday, October 20, 2011 8:47 PM

Amber Evans

Silent Night Sled Dogs

Clear Lake, MI 55319

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Thursday, October 13, 2011 4:53 PM

Michelle Hogan

Fat Dog Farm

Tomahawk, WI 54487

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Wednesday, January 11, 2012 10:29 AM

Jim Paul

Copper City, MI 49917

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Thursday, October 13, 2011 1:32 PM

Kathleen Kimball-Baker

THREE BLUE EYES Sled Dog Team

Minneapolis, MN` 55410

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot:

Starting Chute Song:

Withdraw

Sunday, November 27, 2011 10:17 AM

Linda Lange

Last Chance Retreat and Trails

Baldwin, MI 49304-0896

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot: 1:00

Linda Lange started out skijoring... then moved on to mushing. She’s completed 20 races... and is a co-founder and secretary of the Michigan Dog Drivers’ Association. Linda’s lead dogs are Chuck and Sage. They and her whole team are from one litter. and are Certified Therapy Dogs. From Last Chance Retreat and Trails in Baldwin, Michigan... please welcome Linda Lange.

Starting Chute Song: The Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin

Host Family: Gail Smith,296-0933

Withdrew by Race

Thursday, October 27, 2011 8:38 PM

Candice Celestina

Slow Song and Dance of the trail

Medford , WI 54490

Finish Position:

Vet Check Slot: 11:00 AM

Candace Celestina started by running a Samoyed which led to adding a Sib And Alaskans to the team. She named her team Slow Song and Dance of the Trail . Her lead dogs are Calamity and Ella. She’s hoping for a clean race tonight. From Medford, Wisconsin... please welcome Candice Celestina...

Starting Chute Song: Our God is an AWESOME God, Rich Mullins

Host Family: Debbie Bradford, 281-6206

2012 CD35 Race Registration

Registration is now opened on September 20, 2011 for the 2012 CopperDog 150 Pro-Class race.  Click here to register now for the short event.

Maximum Participants: 15 Teams

Are much discussion and debate, we have decided to limit the number of teams in the short race to 15, keeping the event at the same size as 2011.  Although last year's race was a great success, we walked away with problems to solve and improvements to make.  We would rather spend a year solving problems and gaining more experience before we grow the race to accommodate more teams.

We are providing many opportunities to register early for pro-class race and save money:

• $70 for entries received by October 1, 2011.
• $80 for entries received by November 1, 2011.
• $85 for entries received by December 1, 2011.
• $90 for entries received by January 1, 2012.
• $95 for entries received by February 1, 2012.
• $100 for entries received by February 20, 2012.
• $120 for entries received by February 26, 2012.
• No entry will be accepted after 11:59PM, Feb 26, 2012.

If/when the event fills up, we will maintain a waiting list.  We will not be accepting any additional teams above our cap of 15.

2012 CD35 Race Purse/Awards

We are pleased to announce a $1,000 purse has been added to the CD35.

Waiting List Policy

Posted by Todd Brassard on 11/7/2011

When a musher wants to compete in the CopperDog 150, they register for the event through the web site or by phone, pay the registration fee online or by check.  If the race has openings, the mushers are directly registered in the event.  If the race is currently at its maximum capacity they go on the waiting list. 

In either case, the musher must pay the full registration amount listed for that date.  When other teams withdraw from the event, or if the capacity of the event is increased, mushers will be registered in the order they appeared in the waiting list.  If registration availability does not permit a musher to make it into the event, they will be refunded 100% of their registration fee.

Withdraw and Refunds

Register early, register with confidence. Withdraw before January 1, 2012 and received a 100% refund of the entry fee. 

Withdraw between January 1 and February 1, 2012 and receive a 75% refund of the entry fee.  Withdraw between February 1 and February 17, 2012 and receive a 60% refund of the entry fee. No refunds will be issued to entrants who withdraw after February 17, 2012.

Refunds will be issued twice during the 2012 race season. Mushers who withdraw or switch races prior to January 1, 2011 will receive the appropriate refund in January 2011. All other refunds will be issued in March 2012.