Kids take part in a Sled Dog Saturday in Duluth

DULUTH — While a lack of snow has caused

the postponement of the 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon,

as well as the “Cub Run” that was scheduled for Saturday in Two Harbors, the spirit of sled dog racing warmed the hearts of dozens of kids — and some of their parents — at the Duluth Children’s Museum during an event called Sled Dog Story Time.

“Kids love dogs,” said Judas Bardon, a musher and educator who lives north of Duluth. “They have such a pull to animals that anytime I can come and do an event with animals, it’s always good energy and lots of smiles.”

“Most sled dogs love kids as well,” said Marcia Eiynck, race coordinator with the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, as well as a musher who lives in Sturgeon Lake. “It’s just a good mix to show the kids the dogs, tell them about the race and a really good way to talk about the history a little bit and get the kids involved.”

Original plans for the event, which started at 10:30 a.m. and wrapped up around 11:30 a.m., included time outside. But with temperatures barely above zero Saturday, everything was held inside instead as kids cycled into the Learning Lab over the course of three sessions, getting a chance to see photos and equipment, hear about mushing, listen to a story and of course, pet the dogs.

A woman sitting with her dog at an indoor event. — Marcia Eiynck, of Sturgeon Lake, sits with her dog Bella during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday. Eiynck is the race coordinator for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

Bardon, who is also a volunteer and board member with the Beargrease, brought along their husky, Cohen, while Eiynck was joined by her husky Bella. Both Bardon and Eiynck have raced in Beargrease 40 events.

“Sled dogs are near and dear to my heart, so I’m always happy to bring them out in the community and do things with them,” said Bardon.

A person holds up a historic photograph while speaking at a children's event. — Judas Bardon holds up a historic photo featuring John Beargrease during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

A dog having his ears scratched. — Cohen, Judas Bardon’s dog, enjoys having his ears scratched before the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

Eiynck is a descendant of John Beargrease.

Her grandmother, who turns 93 in March, is Beargrease’s granddaughter, which makes Eiynck Beargrease’s great-great-granddaughter. During Saturday’s event, Eiynck read a book titled “Fearless John” to the children.

“I don’t know if anyone could tell but I got a little choked up a little bit reading the part where he passes away and things like that,” Eiynck said. “We’ve always had family involved in the race, and reading the book is just another way that our family stays involved with John Beargrease and making sure that his spirit is kept alive no matter what the event we’re doing and that the culture is honored as well.”

A woman holds up a children's book while reading it at and event. — Marcia Eiynck, of Sturgeon Lake, sits and reads the book “Fearless John” to guests during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday. The book is about her great-great-grandfather John Beargrease.

Siena Matteson, 6, of Superior, enjoyed the event so much she stayed for all three sessions and would have liked to take the dogs home with her.

“She would if she could,” joked her mother Jessica Lupien.

A young girl petting a dog while another dog waits to be petted. — Siena Matteson, 5, of Superior, center, pets Cohen, right, while Bella awaits a turn during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

Jamey MacDonald, 6, was visiting the area from Thief River Falls with his family and enjoyed every second.

“I like the dogs and I like to sled,” said MacDonald.

A person putting booties on a dog while children look on during an indoor event. — Jamey MacDonald, 6, of Thief River Falls, left, watches while Judas Bardon puts dog booties on Cohen during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

Perhaps in the audience of wide-eyed kids Saturday are future members of the next generation of mushing?

“I hope so,” said Bardon. “I do a lot of visits to schools and youth groups and, when I was a kid in fourth grade, I had mushers come to my school, and here I am, so it could be a great introduction to the sport and the gateway to mushing.”

A toddler girl sitting in a dog sled at an indoor event. — Ivy Stavn, 1, of Duluth, sits in a dog sled during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

As for the current generation of mushing, hopes are high that the 40th running of the Beargrease will happen. Originally planned to begin Sunday, Jan. 26, it has been postponed to Sunday, March 2. A lack of snow last winter led to the

cancellation of the 2024 Beargrease.

Organizers are optimistic that it’ll be different for 2025, but it is just a matter of if weather conditions cooperate between now and then.

“It’s full steam ahead,” said Eiynck. “Everyone’s really getting excited so I mean we do need a little bit more snow but the farther north you go, the more snow there is so we’re, we’re pretty hopeful at this point that we will be ‘a go’ on March 2.”

A woman smiling while attending an indoor event. — Marcia Eiynck, of Sturgeon Lake, smiles while looking on during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday. Eiynck is the race coordinator for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

“We’re trying to figure out as we go because it is hard to predict the weather and realize that people need to plan for it.” said Bardon. “But ultimately, our biggest concern is the safety of the dogs and the safety of mushers. We never want to put them out on the trail if we feel like they’re not going to be safe.”

No make-up date has been announced as of yet for the Cub Run. For more details on the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, including pre-race events and updates, visit

beargrease.com.

A dog getting ready to lick a woman's face at an indoor event. — Cohen prepares to give a lick to Caitlin Rudolph Lavalier, of Duluth, during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

People and dogs gathered for an indoor event. — Visitors attend the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

A child pointing at dogs in an old photograph. — A child points to the dogs in a historic photo featuring John Beargrease while attending the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

A young girl and adult hugging dogs at an event. — Sled dogs Bella, left, and Cohen, right, get attention from Judas Bardon, second from left, and Siena Matteson, 5, of Superior, during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

Two female museum staff members looking on during a kid's event. — Duluth Children’s Museum staff members Maggie Geidner, left, and Brianna Borka look on and take photos during the Sled Dog Story Time event at the museum on Saturday.

An adult cradles a dog and prepares to give it a kiss. — Judas Bardon prepares to give Cohen a kiss after the dog leaped into their arms after the Sled Dog Story Time event at the Duluth Children’s Museum on Saturday.

By
Dan Williamson

Dan Williamson joined the Duluth News Tribune in June 2021 where he’s involved in digital content such as video, photos and podcasts as well as covering breaking news. Previously, he worked in television broadcasting as a Sports Director/Anchor at WDIO-TV in Duluth, Sports Director/Anchor in Bismarck, N.D., News and Sports Anchor at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, and Reporter/Photographer/Editor with the syndicated show “Life to the Max” in Eden Prairie. He was also the Development Director for the Duluth Salvation Army. Williamson grew up in Alexandria, graduated from St. Cloud State University and has lived in Duluth since 2012.

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Kids take part in a Sled Dog Saturday in Duluth

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