Meet the guy behind Bersek Kennel

Thomas Wærner is a professional long-distance dog musher and dog breeder, with previous experience from sprint and mid-distance racing. He owns and runs the Berserk kennel, based in Synnfjell, Norway. Thomas has participated in long-distance races both in Norway and the US with great results. He was crowned “Rookie of the year” in 2015 at the Iditarod Race in Alaska, where he finished 17^th. In 2020 he competed again, and this time, he became the champion of the world famous Alaskan dog race. Thomas is in addition one of few mushers to ever win both of Europe's toughest long-distance races in the same year Finnmark race and Femund race.

Besides his devotion for his dogs and to the sport of dog mushing, Thomas runs the company Torpa El-installasjon AS, a technology company based in Torpa. Originally from Oslo, Thomas today lives with his family and dogs in Synnfjell, a three-hour drive from the capital.

Did you know?

I knew I wanted to become a professional dog musher when… I started up in 1984. I’ve been dreaming about living the life of a dog musher and running races since childhood.

My most memorable racing experience is… Going into the night during the Finnmark race, with a powerful team and the northern lights dancing on the sky. This experience gave me a feeling I will never forget. 

The race I dream of winning is… Iditarod.

My goal for the next five years is… To be happy and enjoy life, having a lot of fun with my family and dogs.

If I didn’t do what I am doing today, I would… That I think, is impossible to answer.