29 years young.
Parents: Jim X Sally
Nickname: Lil smoky fingers
Sam is just a goofy little lady who grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She was raised by a Ma and Pa who gave her a pair of muddy boots, a dog, and said “Go see what you can find.” They nurtured her curiosity and gave her the freedom to explore, build, and create. Those early days have led her to a life driven by dog powered adventures, two tires racing down a dirt trail, and a good ole belly laugh.
She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management, which has led her down a windy pathway that ultimately landed her in Alaska. In 2019, Sam started working with sled dogs as a tour guide, and it didn’t take long before she was hooked. By 2021, she was training for her qualifier races, building experience, confidence, and strong quads. Somewhere in the mix, she adopted her little gremlin dog—the one who officially locked in her fate of running 1,000 miles.
In March of 2025, she crossed the finish line of her rookie Iditarod.
These days, most of her time is spent with the Sourdough dogs, but she still finds joy in challenging herself in other weird and wonderful ways. How many Reese’s can you fit in your bike shorts? She’s not telling—but it’s definitely more than you think.
