Meet the Committee
Meet the #sdasfam aka our awesome Committee below…
Each individual brings something unique and special to our team and works together tirelessly to ensure you all have a wonderful time at our events. We pride ourselves on making our events as safe, relaxed and as fun as possible for both you and your dog(s). We are a dedicated team who volunteer our time and effort for you all.
Ben Turrell
Chairperson/Race and Events Co-ordinator
I have been racing dogs since 2008 when I entered my first canicross race with my then rescue Siberian Husky Storm. I promised us both I’d never do Canicross again and, I didn’t.
Over the last decade I have been actively involved in racing and training both Siberian Huskies and Hounds which me, my wife Sharon and the mini Turrell, Evie, share a kennel of. They are pretty much a lifestyle now as opposed to a hobby.
SDAS has always been important to me as it offers the opportunity to race both registered Nordic breeds and unregistered dogs at the same event/venue. Owning both breeds this was the perfect organisation for me to race with. Now having spent the last few years being part of the Committee it’s been amazing to give back to others and share the enjoyment I get from organising our events with the help of our fabulous team! I spent many years helping organise cross country and show jumping events (my mum owned a few horses, my sister was a champion show jumper and my dad was Chairman of the pony club) so holding/running events comes as a second nature to me.
I started off with running only a few dogs (Siberians) steadily working my way up the classes until nowadays where you’ll happily find me racing an 8 or 6 Dog Siberian or Hound team. I always strive to make our events as enjoyable and as fun as possible whilst still keeping the spirit of competition alive and good sportsmanship to the upmost.
Sharon Turrell
Secretary and Race Entries
I’ve been involved in working dogs since 2008/09 starting off with a few Siberians (adding a few more) then adding a few hounds into the mixture for good measure. Having a kennel of working dogs can be hard work sometimes but utterly worth it. Spending the time training them, seeing their hard work and determination pay off and how happy they are to be in harness is just epic.
For the last few seasons I was mainly preoccupied with running the timing system for races and then raising (alongside Ben) the biggest and bestest surprise of 2021, Baby Evie (seriously – best surprise ever!), so haven’t really been able to get the dogs out racing myself, but, hopefully with The Wise Wizard on board for timing and Evie now in the terrible two’s, (god help us all!) I’ll let go of my OCD and Control Freak demeanor and allow Ewan to fly solo and be able to rectify this non racing malarkey.
SDAS has always played an important part in my life, even before I started doing Committee work. It was an organisation I was able to run both my Nordic and Open breed dogs at, an organisation where I always felt welcome and relaxed and an organisation where I always had fun. I’m happy now to be giving back the enjoyment I got from many years at events to others.
Plus I love admin. I’m pretty much a glutton for punishment
Tracy Thomas
Treasurer/Race Event Admin/Prizes
I live in Fife with my Seppala Siberian Huskies (I have more than 1, less than 15) and my whippets. I enjoy spending as much time doing energetic activities with them as I can.
I work them in harness and, having always been a keen runner, I canicross with them. My first husky, Wilf, canicrossed marathon distance with me, I run ultramarathon distance and am training Warwick, who is currently doing half marathon distance, and Watson to join me on the longer distances.
I also do non competition obedience, I have achieved the Gold award in the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme with 4 of my dogs, silver with one, and hope to soon aim for bronze with the youngsters. I also occasionally show my dogs.
I do a lot of walking and backpacking with my dogs, and have achieved AMWA Backpacking scheme awards with my original 3 dog team.
I have been racing for over 10 years, I initially competed in the 3 dog Nordic breed category, occasionally the 2 dog NB, and concluded my first season with an entirely new team in the 4 Dog Nordic Breed, season 2023/2024 achieving 1st place in the SDAS Championship series.
I recently retired, which means now I can have all the dogs (more than 1, less than 100 😉 ) ! Maybe in a couple of seasons I'll have so many dogs, I'll be in the DR4NB, DR3NB, DR2NB...and maybe even have to bike or scooter!
When it's too hot for racing huskies, I race my youngest whippet, Hallie - aka Bop, race name "Be-Bop-a-Lula, I'm looking forward to her first full season racing in 2025.
I served on the SDAS committee previously, when I operated the timing system. After a brief spell away, I returned at Ben's request "to help Sharon for a short time" when baby Evie was born, then I tried to leave, but they wouldn't let me!
My responsibilities on the committee are Treasurer, Policy writing, Points table and Prizes, Venue Reconnaissance, liaison with land owners and Forestry & Land Scotland, Equipment Management & improvement, and generally trying to make putting an event together easier for everyone on the committee.
Ewan 'The Wise Wizard Robertson'
Timing Wizard
I’m Ewan aka Mr Snopeak and stay near Edinburgh. I’ve been involved in sled dogs since time began and have run with all the main organisations (including a few organisations that are no longer in existence – SEE – I’M THAT OLD!) LOL! I was well accustomed to competing at up to 20 races per season.
I have always had huskies but have run open class when my lab cross or pointer were in my teams, running between 1 and 10 dog teams at races.
My remaining dogs are enjoying a more leisurely pace these days and I can often be found on the start line chatting to competitors with my delightful voice resonating around the forests at larger events!
This season has seen the introduction of my little rescue dog, Baby Shark aka Honey, taking to harness like a duck to water with my Son-in-law Shane in the Canicross class. I may even attempt a Bikejor myself with her next season…. 😉
I founded the first sled dog charity in this country, introduced the scooter discipline to the UK and before clubs had websites I created my own, which initially was just an online calendar then along with a friend developed it through various redesigns to where it is today, but the calendar has remained to help people plan their working season.
Keith Hutchon
Race Organiser/Event Support
Well, where do I start? I was never really a dog person, but Caroline (aka the wife) nagged me for yours to get a Siberian Husky and after her doing A LOT of research into the breed, I gave in and in 2010 we got our first girl, Chinook! Then, one became two and two became three and before you knew it, we had 7!! (and counting…)
I own my family butchers in the town of Crail, Fife, JB Penman Butchers, which can become busy and stressful so it’s good to have my dogs to chill out with and get them to the forest whenever I can go to let them do what they were born to do.
They absolutely love it!
I have raced for a few years; starting off in the 2 dog Nordic then the 4 dog Nordic and now in the 6 Dog Nodric. Myself and my dogs have ran all over the U.K., Europe and Scandinavia both in dry land competitions and on the sleds in snow competitions.
I am happy being part of the #sdasfam helping out in any way I can to make the race weekends run as smoothly as possible, and love helping try make it fun for all taking part! We are a very friendly bunch here at SDAS so if you ever need any help, please don’t hesitate to come up and ask, we don’t bite!! LOL
Check out my Family run Butchers here and if your in the area pop in and say Hi! I've been told my meats the best by far 😉
Chantel Clark
Mono Sports Rep and Membership
I’ve always loved running, and about 10 years ago, I discovered the exciting sport of canicross with my incredible German Shepherd, Bentley. Despite not being built for speed, Bentley placed 5th in the BSSF Canicross Category, holding his own against some of the fastest dogs. When Bentley passed away at just 6 years old, I knew he’d want me to keep going.
That’s when I found Lycan, a 60kg Polish Tatra Sheepdog. While he’s not built for long runs, his enthusiasm for canicross is unbeatable, especially in those first 100 meters down a hill!
In the off-season, we train, hike, and explore Scotland’s stunning landscapes. I’m also proud to be one of only seven women who have completed the Mamores round, a gruelling mountain running challenge.
Canicross has shown me the strength of the human-canine bond and the joy of new challenges, and I’m excited to share this passion on the committee. Let’s continue to inspire each other in the world of sled dog sports!
Shane MacLeod
Event Support/Organiser
I’ve been involved with sled dogs for 9 years, from handling to helping set up trails to now competing. Although when I was younger, I lived next door to a working kennel and used to spend some time with the dogs, so you could say I’ve always had an interest in sled dogs.
In the last couple of years I started competing in the DCM class, which I’m really enjoying. I like to be as helpful as I can and am happy to lend a hand to anyone if needed.
I also compete in a variety of different athletic events from 5k sprints to 91k ultras. I have competed in MacTuff over the last 6 years, generally placing in the top ten, still chasing that number one podium spot!
As you can see I’m a bit mad haha! We are hoping to get a team of our own this year so you may even see me on a rig in not so distant future! Happy to be part of the SDAS fam and looking forward to helping put on awesome races for everyone.
Kayleigh MacLeod
Social Media
I’ve been racing dogs since I was old enough to. (When I was too young I would wait for my dad - Mr Snopeak - on the finish and jump on the rig back to the van with him) I competed on J1 and J2 picking up some championships along the way. I then moved up into adult classes and in my first ever adult race the dogs lead me to winning the national Championship.
I’ve been on a bit of a break recently due to not having a team of my own. But hopefully yous will see me back competing soon (there’s literally an album dedicated to me on the Snopeak website “Kayleigh through the years”)
I have grown up living and breathing sled dogs. Just being around them, helping handle, being there as an extra set of hands if needed brings me so much happiness.
SDAS has been one of the main organisations I have been racing with since a child so to be asked to join the fam and help out was an honour. I am happy to be able to help and do whatever is needed of me to keep these awesome events going for everyone to enjoy ❤
Baby Evil aka Evie Grace
Event Entertainment, Chief Dog Helper/handler.
All round Troublemaker!!
Evie Grace has been involved with working dogs, literally, since she was born. She’s really had no other choice! LOL! But, Fortunately, Evie adores her outside in the wilderness lifestyle, adores all her ‘good dogs’ and in fairness, adores everyone else’s ‘good dogs’!
She attended her first race at 3 weeks old and has been hooked ever since. At events Evie is always on hand helping her Dad and the #sdasfam set up the race trails on a Friday morning. She says its hard work but worth the effort to see everyone and their doggies have fun! At almost every race she can be seen making countless escape attempts away from both her parents so she can run away and play with all the other dogs. Every dog is a ‘good boy’ (regardless of sex) and every dog needs petted and cuddled (and to be told they are a good boy!)
Evie loves being at the start line and counting down the dogs 3,2,1…Go! and then at the finish to cheer them all across the line! She loves helping feed her doggies, collecting all the bowls and stacking them neatly afterwards and adores giving her doggies lots of treats!
Evie also loves horses, PawPatrol, Gabby Cat and Haribo seeeeeties! Which she tricks people into opening for her, even though Mum has said No!
And not forgetting, she also loves driving her Mother to despair with her Sass, Cheeky attitude and being an absolute Daddies Girl!! LMAO!
Thank you Maggie for this cheeky wee snap of Miss cutie sat on Uncle Keith’s (stationary) Quad.
