Bio

A born-and-raised Yukoner, Michelle Phillips became interested in mushing when she met her partner, Ed Hopkins. The combination of working with elite athletes while traveling through the North appealed to her, and she has been running dogs since then (over two decades). She is now a veteran of 10 Yukon Quests and 11 Iditarods. She has also raced the Percy De Wolfe, the Kobuk 440, the Klondike 300, the Cantwell Classic, the Gin Gin 200, the Denali Doubles, Taiga 300, and the Copper Basin 300. She’s collected awards and personal bests along the way, including the Herbie Nayokpuk Award, presented to the musher who best exemplifies the level of sportsmanship and love of dogs that Mr. Nayokpuk demonstrated in his life.

How did your kennel get its name?

WE live by the beautiful Tagish Lake

How did you get started running dogs?

I met my partner Ed

What do you love most about running dogs?

To work with such an elite group of athletes and spend so much time in nature

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

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

No

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

To do the best I can

What music do you listen to on the trail?

Variety

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

Themes or personalities

Share a quick story about one of your indispensable Handlers.

So many great ones over the years.

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

A fourite memory is arriving at Braeburn lodge and getting a big hug from Steve and a big hot bowl of stew