North Dakota’s Junior Musher continues racing journey into adulthood

BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — This North Dakota local travels 3,000 miles to Alaska to compete in her unique sport each year. A sport which includes dogs, sleds, and a whole lotta snow. Eva Robinson of Cavalier is a 17-year-old two time Junior Iditarod competitor, and in fact the only Junior musher in North Dakota to run the Junior Iditarod twice.

Robinson started mushing at 4-years-old and competing at 11. She says she recalls doing it with her family as a recreational activity until she decided to compete in races in the Junior division.

So what is mushing and dog sled racing? Robinson explained, “Dog sled racing is the art and culture of the sled dog breed itself. They’re bred to pull, they’re bred to go and endure the cold temperatures for miles and hours upon end. And it’s just about having a relationship with your dogs as your family, as a big unit.”

In 2021, Robinson won a race called Junior Beargrease and she also raced in the famous Junior Iditarod in 2022 and 2024. She got back from her recent race in February. Doing all of it while in school and preparing for graduation.

Robinson just graduated high school and will be aging out of the junior category but is looking forward to racing in the adult division.

“The full Iditarod is 1,000 miles in the heart of Alaska.”, said Robinson, “the record is eight days. And I will be doing it.”

On top of mushing, Robinson received a scholarship at University of Minnesota – Crookston for cross country. She explains that as much as her dogs need to be in shape, she does too. “Any movement that you make will adjust the sled, either to help or to hinder the team. You are running up every single hill with them. You are pulling through snow banks with them if you need to. You are watching every single dog.”

With 13 years of racing under her belt, she needed a way to keep her love for the sport funded. So, when Robinson was only eight, she started a dog treat business called “Eva Diva Puppy Snacks.”

“However, they are currently on pause right now, because I will be attending college,” Robinson notes, adding she has an alternate way you can support her: “We offer sponsorship for my dogs, you can sponsor a dog and that dog you get revenue from them. You get news on their training lifestyle. Basically, that is your dog. That’s your fantasy athlete. And you get to follow them along during my racing career,” says Robinson.

Robinson has 24 dogs total and will be racing with 14 when she competes in the full Iditarod. She has a deep relationship with each dog that keeps her going during the long hours of her races.

“It’s the relationship with them. It’s spending all this time with them and doing what they love to do the most. So when the miles get long, and you’re like, ‘Why am I out here? It’s so cold. Why am I doing this?’ The dogs look back at you, and they’re like, ‘thanks for taking me out here. It’s so much fun.’ And that makes it all worth it.” said Robinson.

Check out Eva’s website to sponsor dogs or get more information. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for updates and more. You can learn more about the Junior Iditarod here and see Eva Robinson’s bio here .

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