17th-Dog Crew

Matthew Failor

Matthew Failor is the founder of 17th-Dog kennel and a native of Mansfield, Ohio. His love for animals, sports, and the great outdoors began at a young age and helped shape his path into the wonderful world of dog mushing. As a boy, he enjoyed training the family’s pet dog Maggie to do tricks and retrieve. She became Matthew’s loyal companion, tagging along on family outings and Boy Scouting events. As a student, Matthew played basketball, baseball and soccer, and graduated from high school an Eagle Scout. In college, Matthew studied photography, but it was a summer job that ultimately lead him to his true passion and Alaska.

In 2006, Matt took a job with Gold Rush Sled dog tours in Juneau, Alaska. There he adopted his first Alaskan husky, Fionn, born the day of his arrival. Together, Matt and Fionn both learned to mush. Matt bought a scooter, and Fionn happily pulled him around. The pair traveled between Alaska and Ohio, continuing summer jobs with Gold Rush while Matthew finished college. In 2007, Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University.

He began working as a handler for four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser. With Martin’s mentorship, Matt completed his first Iditarod in 2012, and he’s competed in the race every year since. In 2013, Matt started his own kennel in Willow, Alaska. Five years later, Iditarod lead him to the love of his life, Liz.

Matthew proposed at the finish line of the Kuskokwim 300, where his team claimed a record-setting victory in 2019. The couple was married at the kennel in Willow in the summer of 2020. Together, Matt and Liz dreamed up Alaskan Husky Adventures to share their joy for dogs with the world. Throughout the year, the couple invites tourists and travelers to their home to meet the dogs, tag along on training runs, and experience the power of the human-dog bond firsthand.

Matthew’s race history to date

Iditarod Race History

2023 - 8th Place - Most Improved Musher Award 2022 - 30th Place - Most Inspirational Musher Award
2021 - 21st Place - Sportsmanship Award
2020 - DNF (scratched near Safety Checkpoint (mile 953) 2019 - 18th Place
2018 - 13th Place - Most Improved Musher Award
2017 - 59th Place
2016 - 61st Place - Most Inspirational Musher Award
2015 - 41st Place
2014 - 15th Place
2013 - 28th Place
2012 - 47th Place - Rookie

Kuskokwim Race History
2023 - 2nd Place 2022- 2nd Place 2021 - 7th Place 2020 - 2nd Place 2019 - 1st Place - Champion - *New Speed Record 2018 - 5th Place - Humanitarian Award (Best Dog Care) 2011 - 9th Place - Rookie of the Year Award

Copper Basin Race History
2020 - 5th Place - Humanitarian Award (Best Dog Care) 2019 - 8th Place - Rookie of the Year Award 2012 - Race canceled midway due to poor trail

Notable Finishes
2016 - Denali Doubles - 6th Place (Matthew Failor & Michael Baker) 2013 - Yukon Quest - 19th Place 2012 - Northern Lights 300 - 17th Place - Humanitarian Award (Best Dog Care) 2012 - Knik 200 - 34th Place 2011 - Willow Tug 300 - 7th Place - Checkers Choice Award

Recognition of Matthew to date

2000 Eagle Scout (BSA)
2007 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography (TheOSU)
2007 Firestone Photography Award (TheOSU)
2008 Tour Guide of the Year - Princess Cruise Tours (Alaska)
2011 Kuskokwim300 Rookie of the Year (k300.org)
2012 Sexiest Mushers of Iditarod (Alaska Dispatch)
2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 Princess C.R.U.I.S.E. Award Recipient (Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing in Service Excellence)
2014 Tour Guide of the Year - Princess Cruise Tours (Alaska)

Liz Failor

Liz (Raines) Failor is an Alaska-raised TV news anchor turned dog musher. She met Matthew while covering Iditarod for the local CBS affiliate in 2018. The assignment completely changed her life! She fell in love with Matthew and his 53 dogs (all of whom were in attendance for the couple’s wedding in July 2020). Soon after, she left the anchor desk to start Alaskan Husky Adventures with Matthew, and focus full-time on the dogs. She joined Iditarod’s news team in 2021, as a trail reporter for Iditarod Insider, earning an Emmy Award with the team that year!

Aside from dogsledding, Liz enjoys running the trails too! She is a multi-marathon finisher and loves to train with some of the kennel’s retired sled dogs. On any given day, you may spot Cool Cat or Shaun White running by her side in the neighborhood!

Recognition of Liz to date

2021 - Northwest Regional Emmy Award, Iditarod 49 ‘The Gold Loop Trail’ Documentary 2020 - Kenai River Marathon - 4th Place (women’s division), 6th place overall
2019 - Emmy Nominee for Morning/Daytime News
2018 - Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Journalism
2018 - Alaska Broadcasters Association Award for Best Newscast

Kaci Murringer

Kaci Murringer participated in her first sled dog race when she was just seven years old! Originally from Marquette, Michigan, she grew up training with local mushers in the region. She and her pet dog Monty have been with 17-Dog kennel since 2018. In 2020, she completed her first Iditarod with the team!

2020 - Iditarod Red Lantern

Jaren Ulrich

Jaren is the newest member of the 17th-Dog team! He hails from Madison, Wisconsin, and has been working in the animal care industry for the past five years. Jaren joins the kennel just in time for the summer 2022 season and is helping train the dogs for the upcoming race season.

In his spare time, Jaren enjoys exploring Alaska, hiking and kayaking!