Jen Freking of Finland, Minnesota, was a happy musher as she brought her dogsled team into the final checkpoint at Mineral Center. Freking placed ninth in the 2020 John Beargrease Sled Dog race, finishing about two hours behind her husband Blake.. Staff photo Brian Larsen
Ryan Redington of Skagway, Alaska, picked up his second John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon victory on Tuesday, January 28 when he crossed the line 15 minutes up on Keith Aili, of Ray, Minnesota. Ryan’s winning time was 29:08:19. His team averaged 10.1 miles per hour over the rigorous course.
Ryan, who won the Beargrease long distance race in 2018, is the grandson of Joe Redington, the legendary founder of the Iditarod.
This year’s event was shortened to 300 miles, running through the hilly boreal forest from Duluth to the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Starting Sunday morning, January 26 with several mandatory rest stops in place, Redington finished at 4:35 p.m. on Tuesday at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
Between Mineral Center and the finish, Aili, who was racing Redington’s second team, was gaining ground on his close friend. Aili, a highly talented musher who won the Beargrease in 2006, retired from sled dog racing in 2018, and many of his dogs went to Redington’s Callin’ Trail Kennel in Alaska. When Ryan saw all of the talent he had this year in his kennel, he called Keith and persuaded him to run a team for him in the Beargrease.
Three-time Beargrease champion Ryan Anderson, Cushing, Minnesota, placed third with a time of 29:49.38. Thirty minutes later, Martin Massicotte, Quebec, brought his team through in fourth place in 30:18.25.
Colleen Wallin of Two Harbors placed fifth in 32:08:19. Fourtime Beargrease champion Nathan Schroeder, Goodland, Minnesota, took sixth in 32:32:28. Blake Freking, Finland, Minnesota, was seventh at 32:46:20. Pete McClelland of Isabella, Minnesota, was eighth, crossing the line at 33:48:34. Jan Freking, Finland, Minnesota, took ninth in 34:31:10, not too far behind her husband, Blake.
Jaye Foucher, Wentworth, New Hampshire, crossed the line in 35:36:36 to capture tenth. Laura Neese, McMillan, Michigan, placed 11th at 36:48:34 with Kevin Mathis of Monona, Iowa, placing 12th at 39:21:40. Liza Dietzen was the last finisher, making it to the finish in 42:14:04. John Fisher dropped out of the race.
The last local musher to win the Beargrease was John Patten in 1985. The year before, Kevin Turnbough took top honors. Both Turnbough and Patten now live in Alaska.
Beargrease middistance results
Women mushers dominated the 120- mile mid-distance John Beargrease sled dog race, taking the top four spots.
Erin Schouweiler of Irma, Wisconsin, had a strong team of dogs. Her team of eight dogs averaged 11.8 miles per hour over the rugged terrain and finished the distance in 9:06:15.
Tofte’s Rita Wehesler, finished second, moving up from fourth place last year. Rita’s team averaged 10.9 miles per hour. She completed the race in 9:51:46.
Not far behind Rita was Stephanie Love, Duluth, racing for Hovland’s Moetown Kennel. She took third with a time of 9:52:33.
Joanna Oberg, Grand Marais, was two minutes back of Love to take fourth.
Frank Moe of Moetown Kennels brought his sled dog team across the line at 10:06:43 to capture fifth place. Indy, his blind sled dog that runs just ahead of the sled and behind the other dogs, had another great race.
For complete results on the 120, go to the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon web page.
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