The volunteer coordinators of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon were thrilled to learn that the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa was donating $20,000 to this year’s sled dog races. Just as happy were the dogs (note their smiles in the picture above), who love to run in the cold and snow.
The big news coming out of the 2017 John Beargrease Sled Dog kickoff held Sunday, October 16 at Castle Danger was that the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa was back as one of the major sponsors of the race.
“The return of Grand Portage Lodge & Casino and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is huge,” said Jason Rice, Beargease media relation’s director.
At the kickoff, “They [Grand Portage] presented us with a check for $20,000,” Rice said.
Two other companies also announced they were coming on board as sponsors, Minnesota Power, an ALLETE Company, and Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors, Rice said.
Although it’s still early, at the kickoff several mushers announced they were entering the 383-mile-long distance Beargrease marathon for 2017.
Highlighting the list was Ryan Redington of Wasilla, Alaska. Ryan’s grandfather, Joe Redington Sr. was the founder of the legendary Iditarod race in 1973.
Other early entries include Jaye Foucher of New Hampshire, Justin Savidas and Joe Carlson, both of Alaska, and Minnesota mushers Vern Schroeder, Colleen Wallin, and Matthew Schmidt of Grand Marais.
Rice said there was a lot of excitement about the announcement by Vern Schroeder that he was back to race. For the past few years, Vern has been helping his son, Nathan, train and race his dogs. Nathan was the 2016 Beargrease winner and the race champion four out of the last six years.
“Nathan hasn’t announced that he is running yet,” Rice said. “But the expectation is that he will announce soon, and he and his dad will split his (Nathan’s) dogs into two good teams so they can both race.”
Rice said Nathan might also announce that he is using the Beargrease race as a training run for other upcoming events. “And that may be true. He may say that and believe that, but if it comes down to the end and he’s near the leaders despite what he said or intended, all bets are off, and he’s going to go for the win. That’s just the way it is with these guys (and gals). They may intend one thing, but if they are in a position to finish high or win a race, that’s just what they are going to do.”
Despite some warm temperatures last year, Nathan Schroeder and his team of 14 dogs established a new course record, finishing the hilly course in 33 hours and 1 minute.
Two Cook County mushers have entered in the mid-distance (approximately 150 miles) event. Mary Manning and Maria B. Gaffney of Hovland will both run teams and Jennifer Freking of Finland, Minnesota is also an early entry. Rice said the mid-distance race would be capped at 50 entries while the longer race is capped at 30 mushers.
Nicole Freking, age 4, and Elena Freking, age 6, are entered into the Cub Run. “The Cub Run is about one mile. The little guys fly on their sleds that are pulled by one or two dogs. It’s a lot of fun for the kids and fans,” said Rice.
Begun in 1980, the Beargrease is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. John Beargrease was born in 1858 in Beaver Bay. John was the son of an Anishinabe chief who delivered mail along the shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Grand Marais from 1879 to 1899 with his brothers via sled dog in the winter, and canoes, horses and large boats in warmer weather. John made his home in Beaver Bay and Grand Portage.
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