Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC

01/27/2025

The only video from Day 1. Day 1 was faster and I had a harder time staying upright. First time running the Danler this year and it always seems to be a bit spastic—or maybe it’s just me. 🤷‍♀️

01/27/2025

The last of the videos I took. Day 2. You can really see Casco struggling. We’re going up here so Cash’s line is tight.

01/27/2025

Another video day 2. Getting passed by snow machines. Alfred wasn’t crazy about them. He was fine day before when he wasn’t in lead. Casco, out of shape from not running, struggled with pace. Him, Cash and Nisha are likely not running Can Am. Cash is good going up hill but he struggles on the flats and down hill.

01/27/2025

Video from day 2 Pond of Safety

01/27/2025

We were a lot slower today but it’s ok. Swapped Nisha who seemed tired (she is going to be 13 in July) for Casco who is out of shape from not running. Still 24 miles in two days isn’t bad. Running allowed me to work on dog and sled choice for Can Am and work out on the hills.

01/25/2025

Good day running dogs in Jefferson, NH with my New England peeps. 8 dogs, 12 miles, 4 AM wake up, 7:45 AM arrival, two smallish handlers. Lots of 13 year old potty (literally) humor. I survived the whoop de woos and did not bite it. A little hilly so good Can Am training. Post fun run pizza since I’m way too tired to cook. 😂

01/24/2025

Sleds are loaded and ready for early morning departure to Pond of Safety, NH (in the White Mountains), fun run/race tomorrow with North Country mushers. Eight dogs, 12 miles two days. Team is in no particular order, Alf, Zoom, Drogo, Stark, Nisha, Cash, Teji, Boss.

01/24/2025

Yours truly. Today’s Can Am “Meet the Musher.”

Meet The Musher!

🐾 Musher Name: Catherine Benson
🚦 Race: 2025 Pepsi / Native Dog Food Can-Am 30
🏡 Kennel Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC
🌐 www.marylanddogsledding.com

🐕 Lead Dogs:
Kelim's Drogo: 8 year old Male Siberian Husky
Fort Illio's Zoom: 7 year old Male Siberian Husky
Kelim's A Boy Named Sue (Cash): 2 year old Male Siberian Husky
Kelim's Stark: 2 year old Male Siberian Husky

🏅 Race Experience:
2015 Brownville (Longest) - Distance: 30

About Catherine Benson:
I am a widowed mother of three handlers (oops I mean kids. LOL) ages 13, 11, and 9. I've been "in dogs" all with Siberian Huskies for 20 plus years. I have made three separate trips to Mushing Boot Camp over the years. My kids and I split our time between our cabin in Starks, Maine and our permanent home in Baltimore Maryland. Since 2008, I have owned and operated Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC which provides educational dog sledding and dryland (wheeled) dogsledding programs for kids and adults. I was awarded the Leonhard Seppala award by the Maine Highlands Sled Dog Club for contributions to, mentoring in, and promotion of the sport. When I am not running dogs, I am a partner in the law firm of Simms Showers LLP practicing commercial and maritime litigation. I am an alum of the University of Michigan and the University of Washington School of Law and I am an avid Michigan football fan. Go Blue! I would like to thank my handler of the last four years, Allan, who comes out every week to assist me with dog sledding programming and the rest of my village who scooped me up back in 2020 and supported me through all of the chaos we call life. I am running in memory of my late husband, Eric R. Benson, who ran the Can Am 30 twice and who died suddenly in April of 2020.

If you'd like to join the fun, you can register at: https://www.can-am-crown.net/registration/register_login.php

01/23/2025

Another video from today. Where’s Catherine?? Go to the big turn, go under the tree, go straight at the four way, turn at the big open area. 😳😂

01/23/2025

Video from today’s 15 miler. Ethan was my sled weight.

01/23/2025

I made it to the helipad…oops. Wasn’t supposed to quite go that far. 15 chilly miles this morning in Maine. Today’s team was Stark and Alf in lead, Drogo and Zoom, Nisha and Cash, Boss and Teji.

01/21/2025

01/21/2025

Today. Dipping snow. Sunset run.

01/21/2025

Todays run. Almost back after six miles.

01/21/2025

Lead, follow or …? My bestest babies in lead—Stark and Alfie. Loose dogs running into us—no problem. On by and they split thru them like they weren’t even there. Dog chasing us down trail—no problem. We’ll just keep moving. Clueless jogger who did not respond to any of three calls of coming up behind said she was startled as we pass—No problem. Gaggle of people standing in middle of trail. No problem. After a week off, dogs were lit for this short—6 mile run. Sprinting almost the entire six miles. I just wanted to work them out a bit before putting them on the truck for ten hours north. Sparks to Paper Mill and back in record time. Yee haw! Good doggies.

01/13/2025

Hooking up six dogs for rides!

01/13/2025

Taking off

01/13/2025

Here’s how we turn the team.