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Minnesota News
The Associated Press and MPR News Staff
Duluth

Teams are off and running in the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Sled dogs take off at the start.
In a file photo from the 2015 race, sled dogs take off at the start of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon north of Two Harbors, Minn.
Derek Montgomery for MPR News 2015

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Mushers and teams in the longest sled dog race in the contiguous United States have hit the trail in northeast Minnesota.

The 300-mile John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon kicked off Sunday morning from Billy's Bar near Duluth. The teams are headed to Grand Portage.

In addition to the full-distance race, there are shorter events of 40 and 120 miles along the North Shore.

More than 60 mushers from Canada, Alaska, and around the Midwest are competing in the three different races, including several former Beargrease champions. It's one of the largest fields of competitors in recent years.

This year's race marked the return of spectators along the trail. They were not allowed to cheer teams on in-person last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fans who can’t make it to the race in-person can follow teams’ progress via GPS tracking on the Beargrease website.

Beargrease President Kirk Weber said before the race that there's lots of snow on the trail this year.

"The course is looking great. Right now the weather is looking perfect, to be a good, firm, fast trail," he said.

The 38th running of the race should wrap up by Tuesday afternoon, depending on snow conditions. Rules require teams to rest for at least 24 hours along the way.

The Beargrease is a qualifier for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the premier race for mushers, in Alaska in March.