DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – The 40th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is underway.
This year’s race started in Two Harbors due to ‘unseasonably warm temperatures,’ in its original start location in Duluth.
The mushers and their dogs will make their way up the North Shore before veering northwest near the Canadian border before finally turning around toward Grand Portage. In total, a 275 mile journey.
First time Beargrease Musher, Redman Glisson, said a later start means tougher conditions for the dogs.
“It being hot is obviously not as good for the dogs, they want it below freezing, around zero,” Glisson said.
Glisson said the heat really changes the strategy and will likely be difficult for his Alaskan Huskies. He added that he is not used to racing on terrain with dirt and rocks either.
“When it’s this hot, you just got to make sure you’re getting them a lot of water, a lot of electrolytes, a lot of snacks,” Glisson said. “Just keep their system going pretty good, give them good rest, try to run at night if you can.”
Northern News Now spoke with fellow Musher Elizabeth Coons a week ago she says she has no concerns about lack of snow or high temps.
“Everybody will do their best to make judgment calls on where the trail is good to go and let us know ahead of time if there is anything that we need to be aware of,” Coons said.
She said she trusts that if there’s real risk, the officials will make the right call.
RELATED: Mushers have one more week to prepare for the 40th Beargrease Marathon
Thousands like Leslie Pastoor from Coon Rapids, tune in every year, both in-person and online, to watch the dogs manage the long journey up the North Shore.
“I love it,” Pastoor said. “It’s been fun to meet the dogs and just kind of see a different world that we’re not used to in the cities.”
She brought her two boys to show them a different side of Minnesota.
“It’s fun to see, it’s unique, it’s great to see just how we enjoy the winter in Minnesota and different ways we can do this.”
She plans on following the racers as they head north.
Learn more about the Beargrease here.
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