A family affair
This years John Beargrease Marathon in Minnesota (USA) turned into a real family affair…
A big crowd was at the finish line to greet Blake Freking when he came across the finish line lead by his big Siberian Husky Fenrir to claim the 2019 Championship—but his wife Jennifer Freking was not there.
Jennifer crossed the finish line herself two hours later, finishing in second place.
At the finish line to greet them both though, were little Elena and Nicole, their now 9 and 7 year-old daughters. Earlier in the day they had raced too, finishing 3rd and 6th in the 2019 Beargrease Cub Run!
The Frekin Family—doing what they love best!
Credit: Snapshoy by Jen
Jennifer and Blake stress that they in no way drive their girls to be part of the mushing life, its just what the kids want to do. “Being a mushing family, it’s a lifestyle… It’s 365 days a year,” says Jennifer, “it’s something we really strive to keep in balance.”
The Frekings live with their +60 dogs in northern Minnesota (USA) near the area where the John Beargrease Marathon takes place. Owning Manitou Crossing Kennels they raise and train their kennel of primarily Siberian Huskies for competition in long distance sled dog races. Combined, they have accumulated nearly six decades of mushing experience and together have run 4 Iditarods, the Yukon Quest, 17 Beargrease Marathons, and many other races in Alaska, Canada, Lower 48 and Europe. Blake ran his first Iditarod in 2000 and is now a 2 time Beargrease Champion. Jennifer ran her first Iditarod in 2008
Jennifer Freking and team, flying down the trail in the 2019 John Beargrease Marathon.
Credit: Snapshot by Jen.
2019 John Beargrease Marathing Champion, Blake Ferington lead by Fenrir (right)
Jennifer is a Veterinarian at the Ely Vet Clinic and Blake is a Civil Engineer and Air Tanker Base Manager for the US Forest Service. During the summer he manages bases around the country in suppression of wildfires. Jennifer began mushing at 8 years of age as a Jr. Musher on the North Star Sled Dog Club sprint circuit. Blake started by skijoring with his Siberian Husky for a few years before traveling to Willow, Alaska to handle for Earl and Natalie Norris in their kennel of Siberian Huskies—today believed to be the oldest kennel of AKC registered Siberian Huskies.
Blake and Jennifers primary focus is the preservation of the working Siberian Husky. Their goal is to raise their dogs in the best environment possible with great socialization, the best nutrition available and optimal training to allow them to perform to their potential on the trail. “We strive to have the dogs be happy and healthy from start to finish of every race,” says Blake.