January is a time for residents and visitors to celebrate modern day mushers and their canine athlete companions at the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 and the 35th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Sunday, Jan. 27 – Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019.
“We encourage visitors to come and watch the dog sled races,” said Linda Jurek, executive director for Visit Cook County. “We are really excited to have both the Beargrease 120 and the Beargrease Marathon end in Cook County this year. The marathon will end at Grand Portage Casino, and the Beargrease 120 will stop at Lutsen Mountains.
“Visitors who have a dog sled race on their bucket list can also visit our local kennels, where they can learn about the dogs, the dog sled racing sport, and even make a run on a dog sled themselves. Both dog sled races are looking for volunteers, which is a great way to get an up close look at this exciting winter sport.”
Registered mushers to date for the 2019 Gunflint Mail Run are Ryan Redington, Erin Redington, Sarah Keefer, Denis Tremblay, Morgane Halbout, Frank Moe, Erin Altemus, Ryan Anderson, Mary Manning, Colleen Wallin, Dusty Klaven, Damin Ramaker, and Blake Freking.
Mushers entered in the Gunflint Mail Run 8-Dog race are Steve Peterson, Matt Schmidt, Andrea DeBoer, Talia Martens, Travis Vanderhoof, Tim Chisholm, Darcy Stanley-Nord and Julia Cross.
Local mushers entered in the John Beargrease 120 Sled Dog Marathon include two Grand Marais mushers, Joanna Oberg and Matt Schmidt.
Mary Manning and Frank Moe from Hovland and Erin Altemus from Grand Marais are all entered in the full Beargrease.
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