Musher Details

Brenda Mackey, 47, (Rookie) was born in Anchorage. With her husband Will Rhodes and daughter Isabel, she owns and operates a 35-dog kennel, Mackey’s Alaskan Distance Dogs in Two Rivers. Brenda has completed the Two Rivers 200, Willow 300, Yukon Quest 1000, Knik 200, Henry Hahn 200, Nushagak 275, Knik 100 and others. She was born into the mushing lifestyle and began mushing dogs at age 3. She was soon running races in the one-dog class with Fritz, from dad Rick Mackey’s winning Iditarod team. “He was a very happy and loving dog who liked peanut butter and honey sandwiches before races. Later I raised two pups who became my leaders, Isaac and Dixie,” Brenda says. Her father was the biggest influence in her mushing with a decades-long racing career and much time to devote to Brenda. “My mom, Patti Mackey, was the heart of the kennel. She taught me about managing a kennel, vet care, raising pups, and how to work hard. The dogs were our lifestyle and our world revolved around being with them.” Brenda’s family has a long and close relationship with the Iditarod. She explains, “my dad ran the race annually and it was a family event to get ready for the race every March. While running I think a lot about my two uncles, Lance and Bill, and my dad, who have now all passed. I think about all of their stories and of traveling over the same parts of Alaska they and many other longtime mushing friends have traveled.” Brenda enjoys reading, traveling, photography, hiking, and music.

Website: mackeysalaskandistancedogs.com
Social: Mackey’s Alaskan Distance Dogs, Brenda Mackey

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