Bio

At the age of 19, (2008) Jeff Deeter ran his first Iditarod in 2008. He then spent a decade building a home and business in Fairbanks, Alaska, before returning to competitive long-distance races. He and his wife KattiJo own and operate Black Spruce Dog Sledding, a year-round tour business focused on educating people about the sport and lifestyle of long-distance mushing. In addition to the Iditarod, Jeff and KattiJo travel around Alaska by dog team and have competed in the Kobuk 440, the Kuskokwim 300 and numerous other mid and long-distance races. In 2024, Jeff placed 4th in the Iditarod, and he will be running again in 2025. “This year’s training team is comprised of 20 Iditarod finishers and some of our most talented two- and three-year olds. This is the toughest group of dogs that I have ever had the pleasure of running, and their ability level exceeds my expectation at every turn.”

How did your kennel get its name?

When my wife and I were thinking of what to name our kennel, we wanted our name to represent something that would be ubiquitous with people's experience at our tour kennel. We are surrounded by, and mush though, the dense black spruce of interior Alaska.

How did you get started running dogs?

As a little kid I lived above the Arctic Circle in Noorvik, Alaska. This is where I first came in contact with sled dogs and the world of dog mushing. From the age of six, I wanted my own dog team. As a young teenager, I started working for Frank Sihler in Wasilla, Alaska. He and his wife, Claudia, owned a large kennel and were training for the Iditarod. This got me excited about racing and eventually got me to the start line of my first Iditarod, in 2008.

What do you love most about running dogs?

I love watching gifted athletes do something that they are so naturally good at. The mental and physical fortitude that is needed to keep up with the Alaskan Husky is what keeps me coming back year after year. Well, that and the love of dogs in general.

Please share with us some stories or facts about your dogs that will be running in the 2025 YQ450.

My wife and I will each be running a team in this year's Quest. At this point, our dogs are all one family. We have a few patriarchs still on the team, Braavos at age 9, and Forty, at almost 10. These two have run six Iditarod's and countless mid-distance races. Braavos now has many generations that make up our core team.

Are you a member of any other organizations involved in sled dog sports?

Why did you enter the 2025 YQ450 and what are your goals for the race?

I have entered this race as a way to train my team for Iditarod 2025, but also get into some new country and enjoy a little of the Yukon by dog team.

What music do you listen to on the trail?

Audiobooks all the way! Some good Stephen King can really make those long nights pass by in a flash.

How did your dogs get their names/How do you choose names?

We name our dogs in themes, and are especially fond of human names for dogs.

Share a quick story about one of your indispensable Handlers.

My mom, Gretchen, is an integral part of the Black Spruce team, and provides my wife and I with all of our trail food (homecooked meals, and wonderful desserts and snacks). My mother-in-law, Julie, does all of the cooking at home, as well as the cleaning and grocery shopping during the height of training and racing. She is an invaluable to our "survival" for the months of November, December, January and February. Thanks Moms!

Tell us about your favorite experience with a volunteer on the trail.