Aly’s Run brings mushers from four states to Gleason

The sound of eager sled dogs and the crunch of packed snow filled the air around the Marty and Mary Sosnovske farm in Gleason Feb. 14 and 15, 2026, as more than 50 dog teams gathered for Aly’s Run, a dogsled race organized by the Wisconsin Trailblazers Sled Dog Club.
The event drew mushers from Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois, with competitors as young as nine years old racing alongside seasoned veterans of the sport
The Sosnovske farm serves as the base for the race, with trails radiating out across the surrounding landscape. The Sosnovskes’ son, 29-year-old Ben Sosnovske, was responsible for both designing the route and preparing it for competition.
“Ben laid out the trails and started freezing them down when the weather allowed,” Mary Sosnovske said.
Four separate trails were used to accommodate different racing classes, covering distances of nine, six, four, and two miles. Much of the course crosses privately held land.

“Most of the trails are on private land — about six landowners — with one section going through DNR land along the Prairie River,” Mary said.
Race coordination fell to Wisconsin Trailblazers organizers Ron Behm and Melissa Omernick, with Keith Omernick handling final trail preparation and serving as announcer during the event. The Prairie River Eagles 4-H Club sold food and beverages for spectators throughout the weekend.
Racing kicked off at 9 a.m. both days, wrapping up Sunday with an awards presentation.
“The weather was fabulous for spectators but a little warm for the dogs and trail conditions,” Mary said.
This was the third time the Sosnovske farm has hosted the event, which first took place in 2023 under the name the Doris Lovrene Memorial Race. Last fall, the Trailblazers renamed the race in memory of 22-year-old Alissa “Aly” Sosnovske, who died May 10, 2023, in a tragic car accident not far from the Sosnovske farm where she grew up.
“The Trailblazers Board of Directors renamed the race Aly’s Run in honor of our daughter,” Mary said.
Ben Sosnovske’s connection to the sport stretches back to his elementary school years, when Melissa Omernick took him under her wing.
“She let him use her dogs and would train with her,” Mary said. “We never got sled dogs of our own.”
He went on to compete as a junior musher alongside Omernick for several years.
“He was good with the dogs and he had a lot of fun,” Mary said.
For more information about the race or the Wisconsin Trailblazers Sled Dog Club, contact Melissa Omernick at manydoggiesski@gmail.com.