Musher Details

2016 Iditarod » Mushers » Ed Stielstra

Ed Stielstra

Bib Number: 50
Hometown: McMillan, MI
Website:


Biography

Ed, 47, grew up in Ludington, Michigan enjoying competitive sports, dogs and being outside. After high school, he attended Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Science from Lyman Briggs College of Science. Approximately 13 years ago, Ed and his wife left their “real world” jobs to operate Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Adventures and Racing full time. Their kennel is located in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, and they offer dog sled adventures geared toward the beginner.

Along with tours and racing, Ed and Tasha combine their mushing experience with their past teaching experience to do presentations for students in kindergarten through 8th grade around the US and abroad. Their “Pulling Together” presentations focus on teamwork and respect from a sled dog’s viewpoint.

When not training dogs and entertaining guests, Ed spends his free time with his two children, Nate, 6, and Fern, 4.

In the 2017 Iditarod, Ed is excited to run a team of one year olds. His racing partner, Laura Neese, will have the adult racing team while Ed will be taking a much slower pace to gain the young dogs valuable trail experience.

Sponsors

Royal Canin USA
dogbooties.com


2016 Standings

Checkpoint Time In Dogs In Time Out Dogs Out Rest Time Previous Layover Status Distance
Enroute Time Speed (mph) 8hr 24hr
Anchorage 3/05 11:45:00 16 3/05 11:45:00 16 0h 0m
Willow 3/06 15:36:00 16
Yentna 3/06 19:17:00 16 3/06 20:07:00 16 0h 50m 3h 41m 11.40 42
Skwentna 3/07 03:29:00 16 3/07 03:43:00 16 0h 14m 7h 22m 4.07 30
Finger Lake 3/07 08:24:00 16 3/07 13:25:00 16 5h 1m 4h 41m 8.54 40
Rainy Pass 3/07 17:02:00 16 3/07 22:24:00 15 5h 22m 3h 37m 8.29 30
Rohn 3/08 03:04:00 15 3/08 03:10:00 15 0h 6m 4h 40m 7.50 35
Nikolai 3/08 17:01:00 15 3/08 21:54:00 15 4h 53m 13h 51m 5.42 75
McGrath 3/09 03:44:00 15 3/09 03:45:00 15 0h 1m 5h 50m 8.23 48
Takotna 3/09 06:02:00 15 3/10 07:23:00 13 25h 21m 2h 17m 7.88 ✔ 18
Ophir 3/10 09:55:00 13 3/10 09:58:00 13 0h 3m 2h 32m 9.08 ✔ 23
Cripple 3/11 00:52:00 13 3/11 05:46:00 13 4h 54m 14h 54m 4.90 ✔ 73
Ruby 3/11 20:13:00 13 3/12 05:18:00 13 9h 5m 14h 27m 4.84 ✔ ✔ 70
Galena 3/12 10:50:00 13 3/12 15:44:00 13 4h 54m 5h 32m 9.04 ✔ ✔ 50
Nulato 3/12 22:51:00 13 3/13 04:53:00 13 5h 2m 7h 7m 5.20 ✔ ✔ 37
Kaltag 3/13 09:38:00 13 3/13 09:45:00 12 0h 7m 4h 45m 9.89 ✔ ✔ 47
Unalakleet 3/14 00:58:00 12 3/14 06:11:00 11 5h 13m 15h 13m 5.59 ✔ ✔ 85
Shaktoolik 3/14 11:58:00 11 3/14 16:46:00 11 4h 48m 5h 47m 6.92 ✔ ✔ 40
Koyuk 3/15 00:24:00 11 3/15 07:02:00 10 6h 38m 7h 38m 6.55 ✔ ✔ 50
Elim 3/15 12:51:00 10 3/15 17:44:00 10 4h 53m 5h 49m 8.25 ✔ ✔ 48
White Mountain 3/15 23:46:00 10 3/16 07:56:00 9 8h 10m 6h 2m 7.62 ✔ ✔ 46
Safety 3/16 15:11:00 9 3/16 15:12:00 9 0h 1m 7h 15m 7.59 ✔ ✔ 55
Nome 3/16 18:14:37 9 3h 2m 7.25 ✔ ✔ 22