Interview with Eddie Burke Jr

Eddie, hailing from Alaska, has been immersed in the Alaskan way of life since birth.

His racing journey ignited in 2021, and since then, he has achieved remarkable milestones.

Notably, he clinched victory in the Knik 200 race of 2023 and secured the third position in both the Kusko 300 and Kobuk 440 races.

Beyond the trail, Eddie finds joy in sharing moments with his daughter Emilia and cherished family members.

Expressing his gratitude, he extends heartfelt thanks to his sponsors, Matthew and Marc McKenna, as well as Nick and Ashley Hill from Alaska Sealcoating.

He also acknowledges the unwavering support of his family and the invaluable contributions of Doss Daley and Lucas Anzilotti.

A lot of mushers chase their dream by moving to Alaska, but you were born and bred in the state. What was it like to grow up in Alaska?

Growing up in Alaska is everything a kid could want.

I couldn’t imagine being raised anywhere else.

As a child, did you own a dog?

Yes, growing up we always had dogs.

At what point in your life did you realise you wanted to be a dog musher?

It wasn’t until I attended the Iditarod mushers bib draw in 2016.

Did you discover you had a passion for competing in races pretty much as soon as you stood on the runners?

After taking my first sled dog ride, I knew instantly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

I believe two of your mentors are Aaron Burmeister and Tony Browning. How did this come about?

I met Aaron at the musher banquet in 2018, it wasn’t until 2020 where he invited me to his kennel to meet the dogs and help out a little.

In 2021 he gave me the opportunity to train and race his puppy team.

That’s where I began working alongside Tony Browning and learned everything I know about dogs.

Tony has made me the musher I am today.

What would you say is the most important thing you’ve learnt from each of your mentors?

There’s a long list of skills and knowledge Tony taught me.

Where did your first sled dogs come from?

The first sleddog I ever purchased wasn’t until this year, her name is Pita and comes from Jeff King.

She’s no longer a race dog but she will be a great momma to some pups.

Where did you take part in your very first race? What was it like?

I started my racing career in 2021, my first race was the Willow 300.

I had a young team of 1-2 year olds and it was their very first race as well.

We finished in 13th place.

You run under Aaron Burmeisters Alaska Wildstyle Racing Kennel. Do you have any plans for your own kennel?

I was a part of Wildstyle Racing for 3 years and it was a great ride but after I finished Iditarod, Aaron decided to take the kennel in a different direction and I knew this was the time to start my own kennel – Off The Rails Racing.

You’ve competed in many small sled dog races since your mushing career began in 2021. Which race stands out most for you?

Every race I entered has taught me so much.

During my rookie year of racing, I won a 200 mile race with a tough field of competitors and dog teams.

I’ll never forget that feeling.

Mention the name “Eddie Burke” to anyone and you hear, “Oh, the guy with the hair”. Would you say your hair is your trademark?

Haha, I guess it’s become that.

Lance Mackey has been an inspiration to me for a very long time. Have any veteran mushers inspired you?

I have a lot of respect for the mushers who came before me and that goes for the current field today as well.

They have all inspired me.

These men and women all play a major role in why these races are still around, all the innovations and improvements that have come along over the years.

I wouldn’t be here without them

Anyone who follows mushers careers will know that yourself and Brent Sass pretty much leapfrogged most of the way through this year’s Knik 200. How did it feel to not only win that race but to beat Brent, who at the time was the reigning Iditarod champion?

I want to compete against the best and Brent is an elite musher.

To share the trail with him was a great experience.

When did you decide you were going to enter the Iditarod? Or was that always the plan?

That was the plan from the get go.

Were you happy with drawing Bib number 18 in this year’s Iditarod?

Yeah I thought 18 was a good number. With a small field of mushers, my starting position wasn’t much of a concern.

So here you are, feet on runners, Iditarider in sled, about to leave your very first ceremonial start. What was going through your mind?

It was like we finally made it.

The years of hard work, sacrifices, money and everything else that it takes to get to the starting line.

I believe you had a birthday whilst out on the trail and it’s one you won’t forget. You know I’ve got to ask the question. What the hell happened?

Haha, I got a little sleepy on the not so exciting Yukon River.

I dozed off for a split second and stumbled off my sled.

So I spent my birthday walking and hitching a ride with 2 other dog teams.

Hunter Keefe and yourself competed for Iditarod Rookie of the Year. What was Hunter like as competition?

Hunter is a true sportsman and great person to share the trail with.

How did you feel about winning Rookie of the Year?

It was the icing on the cake for me.

This is only the beginning of your racing career and it’s already going great. Do you set yourself goals or if it happens, it happens?

Every race I’ve entered, I had set a goal for myself.

I will continue to do this in future races as well.

How competitive are you?

I’d say I’m very competitive, but the dogs come first and my goals and desires come second

Do you have a race strategy that you can share?

For a mid distance race – go like hell!

For Iditarod – stay disciplined.

Competing in such an amazing event as the Iditarod, you get to meet a lot of people along the journey. Would you say there was anyone in particular that you’ve met that’s made a difference to your life?

There’s a lot of people in the dog world that have made a difference in my life.

From volunteers, vets and mushers.

I’ve gained many friendships, I’ve received support and sponsorships that have motivated me to pursue these goals and to keep going.

Do you have a favourite checkpoint?

I love them all but coming into Shaktoolik and receiving the big welcome from locals was a great feeling.

My grandpa had spent several years working in Shaktoolik and all of his old friends were there to greet me.

How do you prepare your team for a race?

Each race is different for me.

Depending on the stage of training I am at and how I want the dogs peaking.

How do you decide which dogs make it on to your team?

The dogs always show me who’s ready and healthy.

Did you know a lot of fans had you down as their favourite to win this year’s Iditarod? How does that make you feel?

I’d say those people are crazy, haha.

But I’m happy to hear there are people who believe in me and want to see me do well.

My husband asked one of my all time favourite mushers, Brent Sass, “Are you going to beat Eddie Burke?” Brent’s reply, “I’m going to try”. What does it mean to you hearing someone like Brent seeing you as his top competition?

I just want to be known as a good dog man.

Someone that cared for his dogs and did what was best for them.

Was the Iditarod everything you expected it to be?

Everything I could dream of and more.

Would you say you were prepared for the Iditarod or looking back on the race will you now change the way you do things for next year? That’s if you will be competing in next year’s race.

I am all signed up for the 2024 Iditarod and there are definitely things I can improve on but I felt like I prepared myself the best I could with the knowledge and experience I had.

So after a gruelling 1000 mile journey finishing under the famous Burled Arch in Nome, can you reflect on what that moment was like for you?

It was an emotional experience.

Having my daughter and family there made it that much more meaningful.

What one memory stands out for you in your mushing career so far?

Coming into Nome is one heck of a memory and accomplishment.

Iditarod is a tough dog race and those challenges make the feelings of finishing that much more sweet.

During the summer months, mushers will be looking to gain sponsors to enable them to compete in Iditarod 2024. Do you have a way that fans can sponsor you?

I’m working on a website as we speak but people can always reach me on my Facebook or Instagram.

Finally, I guess I need to ask the question – What does the future hold for Eddie Burke Jr?

Over the past several months I’ve cleared land, built a cabin, acquired all the tools and equipment it takes to run a kennel.

I’ve leased dogs from Dean Osmar and Wade Marrs.

I purchased Red Dog (2 years old) from Jessie Holmes.

Red Dog raced with me in last year’s Iditarod.

It was his very first dog race and he finished with flying colours!

I’ve put together the best team I possibly could and I’m looking forward to this year’s race season. Knik 200, Kusko 300 and Iditarod.