Meet our 2025 YQA Race Marshall for the 550- and 200-Mile races, John Schandelmeier, through the below biography:
I was born and raised on a homestead in Alaska. My wife of 20 years is Zoya DeNure. We have 5 kids in the house; mostly girls. 2 biological, 2 permanent fosters and an adopted son. Dogs have always been a part of my life. Before turning to sled dogs, I trial trained Labrador retrievers and German Shepherds. 25 years were spent in the bush trapping, mostly alone. In 1982, sled dog racing became a passion. My first Yukon Quest came in 1986. Seven trap line dogs and a borrowed dog from Harry Sutherland. All of them finished and I was hooked.
Since that 1986 race season, I have competed in over eighty 200 mile events, thirty plus 300- milers and over a dozen 4-500 mile events. 18 Yukon Quest finishes without a scratch over four decades has given me a varied and evolving perspective on that event. I was also the trail coordinator for the Quest in 2009 and 2010. My racing has taken me to Canada, the Lower 48 and to Europe. My wife and I have hosted and organized 15 races varying in distance from 2-300 miles. Race Marshal duties in the Denali 300, (a race for Rookies), helped me to more fully understand the complexities of running and training dogs from the standpoint of others.
Not all dog yards are run and organized the same, nor are training techniques. I believe all are valid and that each of us, no matter our experience level can learn from what others do. My experience of living with 6 girls in the household, (including a handler), has given me the patience of Job; that makes me uniquely qualified to deal with tired mushers, no matter what their temper.
The 2025 Yukon Quest, with the new 550 mile format will be an exciting event that should renew interest in not only the Quest, but dog racing sports in general. I would love to see a full 25 team field. My goal? —–To see all of the starting teams finish in Tok.