40th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on track, despite warm temperatures
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After a postponement in January and then a change to the race start location earlier this month — both because of poor snow conditions — the 40th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon finally gets underway Sunday along the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Rather than beginning at the traditional start north of Duluth, the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states will now kick off at what’s typically the first check point, known as “The Pit,” north of Two Harbors, Minn.
That shortens the race by about 35 miles, from the typical 270 miles. Mike Keyport, president of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, acknowledged that’s not ideal.
“Weather always plays a role in sled dog racing, and unfortunately, the recent warm temperatures have made conditions at our original start line unsuitable for the race, there is virtually no snow as of right now,” said Keyport.
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Still, Keyport said trail conditions are excellent farther up the North Shore, where heavy snow fell Thursday night into Friday.
“Away from the lake, there’s a good snow pack. The trail just gets better and better the farther north we go,” said Keyport.
Sixteen mushers are scheduled to run in the marathon race, down from the original 19 signed up to compete in January. Keyport said they lost some mushers with the new date, but gained others.
Another 29 mushers are competing in shorter races that are part of the event, including a 120-mile mid-distance race and a 40-mile course for beginners. Most mushers are from Minnesota, although there are several racers from Canada, one from Alaska and several from around the Midwest, including as far south as Oklahoma.
The marathon starts at 11:05 a.m. on Sunday. No musher is allowed to wear bib No. 1. That belongs to John Beargrease, the race’s namesake, an Anishinaabe man who delivered mail by dogsled between Two Harbors and Grand Marais for 20 years in the late 1800s.
“At 11:05 we will send John Beargrease down the trail in spirit,” explained Keyport, who is Beargrease’s great-grandson. “And at 11:07, bib No. 2, the first musher, will head out on the trail.”
Keyport expects the winner to arrive at the finish line at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino sometime Tuesday morning.
Keyport said one of the best places for spectators to watch is at the start, where several thousand fans gathered the last time the Beargrease began near Two Harbors. He said he expects some unique race strategy this year because of the warm temperatures forecast.
“These mushers know how to take care of their dogs,” Keyport said. “And I anticipate a lot of running at night when it’s cooler.”
