25th Annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Race

25th Annual John Beargrease Dog Sled Race Starts Tomorrow!

Last winter the 25th running of the annual John Beargrease Dog Sled Race had to be postponed, and then cancelled, because we didn’t have enough snow. There will not be a problem with the snow this year. Tomorrow the race will begin at 1 pm at Ordean Middle School here in Duluth. This 400 mile race along the North Shore begins right here in Duluth. There will be many people at the starting site to send off the dogs and their handlers.

John Beargrease, the son of a Chippewa Chief, is most remembered for his legendary mail delivery runs. From 1887-1900 he hiked, sailed, rowed, and during the winter, traveled by dog sled, delivering the mail up the North Shore between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, a dog sled race along Lake Superior's North Shore commemorates the life of John Beargrease. It is a tribute to his memory and a celebration of life along the North Shore.

(Photo: Clint Austin/Duluth News Tribune)