John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon postponed due to ‘unsafe trail conditions’
DULUTH, MN. - JANUARY 2023: Mary Mannings sled dog team takes off from the start line of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023 outside Billys Bar in Duluth, Minn. (Photo by Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
DULUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) - Officials announced on Thursday the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota has been moved to a later date due to "unsafe trail conditions."
Sled dog marathon postponed
What we know: Organizers say the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is being postponed from late January to early March, citing the icy conditions and lack of snow along the 300-mile course is creating "hazardous conditions" for mushers and sled dogs, according to a press release.
Organizers are hopeful that conditions will improve along Lake Superior’s North Shore later in the season with additional snowfall. This is the second year in a row where weather conditions have affected the race, as the event was canceled in 2024 due to the lack of snow.
What they’re saying: "After thoroughly evaluating the trail and exploring alternate routes, we determined that postponing the race is the best option to ensure the safety and well-being of the dogs, mushers, and everyone involved," said Mike Keyport, President of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Board.
"Postponing the race is never an easy decision … We are heartbroken that, once again, weather—a factor entirely out of our control—has impacted our plans," Keyport said in a statement. "However, the safety of the dogs and mushers remains our unwavering priority, and we are determined to ensure that the rescheduled race continues to honor the spirit and legacy of the Beargrease."
The backstory: The sled dog marathon is a qualifying race for the Iditarod race in Alaska. The race was founded in 1980 in honor of John Beargrease, an Anishinaabe man who delivered mail by dog sled along the shores of Lake Superior in the late 19th century.