One of the county’s most popular spectator activities won’t happen this January. The popular Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race that starts and finishes at Trail Center on Poplar Lake has been canceled for 2021.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make. Still, the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race board members decided that in the best interest of keeping spectators and participants safe from the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular sled dog race would be a no-go this winter. Plans are being made for next year.
The race was scheduled to start January 9, and even before it was canceled, this year’s venue was going to be smaller, with no guaranteed purse and limited to 20 eight-dog teams over a 65-mile course.
In a Facebook post, the organizers said, “While we normally love to have everyone join us on the Gunflint Trail, we do not feel that holding the race outweighs the risk to those traveling to the area or those living in the area.”
Race directors also cited another reason for shutting down the 2021 Gunflint Mail Run: “Postponing the race until 2022 will also eliminate the anticipated nail-biting as we wait for mushers to race on sleds rather than turning it into a dry land race! In addition to everything else this year, snow has been almost nonexistent.”
Not to worry, though, plans are already underway for the 2022 event, with the hope that the race comes back stronger than ever.
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