John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is the premier long-distance sled dog race series in the lower 48 states. The sled dog marathon honors John Beargrease’s legacy, indigenous culture, and North Shore communities while celebrating the history of mushing and the incredible canine athletes who make it possible.

Watch the start of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Track the Mushers on the Trail

John Beargrease Sled Dog Race Week Events

The Cub Run was held on Saturday, January 21 at the Lakeview National Golf Course in Two Harbors.  The 2 mile class began at 1:00 p.m. for the 2 mile class, 1/4 mile class started around 2:30, or
after the last 2 mile class musher leaves the chute, award ceremony to follow.  Tap to watch Sabrina Ullman’s coverage of this year’s event.

On Saturday, January 28 at Fitger’s at 600 E Superior Street in Duluth. Puppy check-in begins at 10: a.m. with viewing and voting from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  The awards will be given at 1:30 p.m.
No outside dogs will be allowed in the Fitger’s complex during the event.  ** Pre-registration at https://beargrease.com/events/

Meet the mushers on Saturday, January 28 at Black Bear Casino Resort Golf Course Clubhouse in Carlton for the mandatory vet check. The dog teams will participate in the mandatory checks from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The public can meet with the mushers and learn about how sled dogs are taken care of before, during and after the race.  *** No outside dogs allowed.

Then on Saturday, January 28 there will be an Opening Ceremony at Black Bear Casino Resort with a 3:00 p.m. Drum ceremony, eulogy and land acknowledgement. There will also be a brief introduction and ceremonial bib draw. (Mushers receive their bibs, mailbags and swag.)  There will also be a swearing in of the Marathon and 120 mushers as mail carriers.
*** No outside dogs allowed.

Sunday, January 29 at Billy’s Bar at 3502 W. Tischer Road in Duluth.  WDIO will be broadcasting and streaming the start of the Beargrease Marathon at 10 a.m. Streaming on WDIO.com, YouTube and Facebook.  Meet the mushers at 8:00 a.m. followed by the National Anthem and Pipe Ceremony at 9:45 a.m.  The sled dog teams in the 2023 John Beargrease Marathon leave the starting chute, followed by the Beargrease 120 and Beargrease 40 mushers at 2 minute intervals.   *** No outside dogs allowed, except service dogs.

Limited breakfast and lunch will be available from 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
PARKING: There is limited parking at the race start–plan to ride the shuttle. Limited first come, first served handicapped parking available at Billy’s.
Free Shuttle pick up at:

  • UMD Campus – Junction Avenue and West College Street
    7:00am-8:00am – UMD to Billy’s
    8:00am-12:30pm – UMD to Billy’s
    12:30 pm- 2:30pm – Billy’s to UMD

Beargrease 40 – Finish is expected on Sunday, January 29 at Highway 2 Gravel Pit in Two Harbors.  The time is approximate, with teams crossing the finish between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Beargrease 120 – Finish is expected on Monday, January 30 at Trestle Inn at 9459 Highway 7 in Finland, Minn. Teams will reach the finish between 6 a.m. and noon.

Beargrease Marathon – Finish is expected on Tuesday, January 31 at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino at 70 Casino Drive, Grand Portage. Teams are expected at the finish between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

** All times are approximate and could change based on weather, trail conditions and musher strategy.)

  • Announcer (Mike Keyport, great-grandson of John Beargrease)
    Mike Keyport greets the teams and guests during the 2023 Cub Run. Keyport is the great-grandson of John Beargrease. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • Two dogs, one with blue eyes looking at the camera with an excited look and tongue hanging out.
    Totatally excited to run! One of the teams at the Cub Run on Saturday. (Sabrina Ullman. WDIO.)
  • Over twenty kids and young adults pose for a picture at the 2023 Cub Run Sled Dog marathon.
    Meet the mushers of the 2023 Cub Run. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • White dog appears anxious to get going at start of the Beargrease Cub Run Sled Dog race.
    Ready to go! (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • Memorial race finish2
    A team crosses the finish of the Cub Run at Lakeview National Golf Course in Two Harbors. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • Many people watch as a Cub Run team waits at the starting line.
    A crowd gathers at the start of the Beargrease Cub Run on Saturday, January 21. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • Young girl pats white sled dog on the head.
    Giving some love to the dogs during the Cub Run on Saturday, January 21. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • Beargrease vet checks
  • 2023 Beargrease opening ceremony.
  • close-up of dog snout
    A sled dog sniffs the camera after a training run. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO)
  • Wide shot of the starting chute with Ryan Anderson's team and lots of people around.
    Ryan Anderson leaving the start of the 2023 Beargrease. (WDIO)
  • Musher bib number 18 with his dogs smiles at spectators along the trail.
    Bib #18 Martin Massicotte heads out on the trail. (WDIO)
  • Musher bib 5 with his team at the start.
    Bib #5, Nick Vigilantes team waits for their turn to head out on the trail. (WDIO)
  • giant Beargrease banner marks the starting line with hundreds of people waiting for the mushers.
    Crouds gather at the start of the 39th running of the Beargrease Marathon. (WDIO)
  • Sabrina Ullman reporting in a parka along the trail of the Beargrease.
    Meteorologist Sabrina Ullman is all smiles as she waits for the next team to come by. (WDIO)
  • Sports director is bundled up to the cold with frost on her eyelashes.
    Frosty lashes! Alicia Tipcke at the starting line. Sunday, January 29, 2023. (WDIO)
  • Baihly Warfield and Megan Graftaas stand smiling at the start of the Beargrease Marathon.
    Baihly Warfield and The Lift producer, Megan Graftaas huddle at the start of the Beargrease Marathon. (WDIO)
  • Baihly and Alicia
    Baihly Warfield and Alicia Tipcke at the starting line of the 2023 John Beargrease Marathon.
  • Sled dogs get comfy on beds of straw near the truck.
    Ryan Anderson’s team has some quiet time in Two Harbors. (WDIO)
  • Sled dogs nap on straw with blankets.
    Ward Wallin makes sure Ero Wallin’s team is bundled up for some rest.
  • Four sled dogs in harness ready to go.
    These frosty pups are competing in Beargrease 120. (WDIO)
  • Beargrease 40 mile mushers.
    Ashley Thaemert is standing in the front middle of the mushers.
  • Peter McClelland waved to a couple of spectators on the trail
  • Beautiful but frigid morning on the trail between Sawbill and Trail Center Checkpoints
  • Matthew Schmidt Team happy curious dogs
  • Mrs Nietert 4th grade class Iowa Two Island Campground road crossing
  • Keith Aili and team cross the Beargrease finish line.
    Keith Aili and team cross the Beargrease finish line. Baihly Warfield/WDIO
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BeargreaseTrailMap_2023_LinkedDownload

Map courtesy of John Beargrease Marathon.

WHO IS JOHN BEARGREASE? John Beargrease was the son of an Anishinaabe chief and a Grand Portage band member who was born in Beaver Bay, on Minnesota’s North Shore. He is remembered for delivering mail to the communities of the North Shore from Two Harbors to Grand Portage, while also sharing news and weather with the people of these remote communities. His efforts were instrumental in connecting the people of the North Shore in a time when communication was difficult.