
Marcia Eiynck
Duquette, MN
Marcia (Keyport) Eiynck is the great, great-granddaughter of John Beargrease. The Keyport/Mercer family has a long history of being involved in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Marcia’s grandmother, Viola (Mercer) Keyport, volunteered for many years and inspired a family tradition. She passed that tradition to Mike Keyport, one of her many sons, who, in turn, served on the Board of Directors and was elected President of the Board. Mike’s passion fueled the adventurous spirit of Marcia, and Marcia’s saga begins. Marcia is a rookie musher, and the Beargrease 40 will be her first official race. She has been training with Doodledog kennels in Hovland, MN. Marcia had been a volunteer for the Beargrease for 12 years and served on the Board of Directors for two years. She grew up just south of Duluth, MN, and raised her four children in rural Amery, WI. Now that the kids are all on their own paths, she lives with her husband in their off-grid home on Tom Lake in Hovland, MN. She is a proud descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, where she works as the Nutrition Service Director at the Oshki Ogimaag Charter School.
How many lead dogs in your team?
Three
Who are your dog handlers?
Jason Eiynck, Mike Keyport
What is your age as of Jan 25, 2020?
45
Kennel name
Doodledog Kennel
Rig size
10 feet
Who are your sponsors?
Mike and Carmen Keyport
What inspired you to start running sled dogs and how old were you when you started?
Being a descendant of John Beargrease, I thought it appropriate that a family member should carry on the wonderful tradition.