
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
CUB RUN
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.
CUTEST PUPPY CONTEST
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/
VET CHECKS
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.
OPENING CEREMONY
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.
JOHN BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON RACE SERIES START
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 FINISH
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.)
Mike Keyport greets the teams and guests during the 2023 Cub Run. Keyport is the great-grandson of John Beargrease. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) Totatally excited to run! One of the teams at the Cub Run on Saturday. (Sabrina Ullman. WDIO.) Meet the mushers of the 2023 Cub Run. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) Ready to go! (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) A team crosses the finish of the Cub Run at Lakeview National Golf Course in Two Harbors. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) A crowd gathers at the start of the Beargrease Cub Run on Saturday, January 21. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) Giving some love to the dogs during the Cub Run on Saturday, January 21. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) A sled dog sniffs the camera after a training run. (Sabrina Ullman, WDIO) Ryan Anderson leaving the start of the 2023 Beargrease. (WDIO) Bib #18 Martin Massicotte heads out on the trail. (WDIO) Bib #5, Nick Vigilantes team waits for their turn to head out on the trail. (WDIO) Crouds gather at the start of the 39th running of the Beargrease Marathon. (WDIO) Meteorologist Sabrina Ullman is all smiles as she waits for the next team to come by. (WDIO) Frosty lashes! Alicia Tipcke at the starting line. Sunday, January 29, 2023. (WDIO) Baihly Warfield and The Lift producer, Megan Graftaas huddle at the start of the Beargrease Marathon. (WDIO) Baihly Warfield and Alicia Tipcke at the starting line of the 2023 John Beargrease Marathon. Ryan Anderson’s team has some quiet time in Two Harbors. (WDIO) Ward Wallin makes sure Ero Wallin’s team is bundled up for some rest. These frosty pups are competing in Beargrease 120. (WDIO) Ashley Thaemert is standing in the front middle of the mushers. Keith Aili and team cross the Beargrease finish line. Baihly Warfield/WDIO
Dogs + Nature + Action Photography
Who knew that photographing a sled dog marathon would combine my three favorite genres to shoot…
It’s no wonder it has captured my heart. 🧡
These photos feature Jennifer Freking approaching the Mineral Center checkpoint on her way to the beargreasesleddogmarathon finish line.
2023 120 Beargrease top 3 finishers goes to the ladies! 💪🏻💪🏻
1st bib 108 Joanna Oberg
2nd bib 115 Rita Wehseler
3rd bib 110 Lynne Witte
📸Joann Jardine
📸scrufflifephotography
We’ll be sharing more photo dumps as our amazing photographers continue submitting their images!
Thank you to all of our amazing photographers!
#beargrease2023 #sleddogs #sleddograce #dogsledding #northshoremn #exploremn
Who’s ready for some 2023 Beargrease photo dumps?! Todays start photo dump is brought to you by photographer, Joann Jardine.
We’ll be sharing more photo dumps as our amazing photographers continue submitting their images!
Thank you to all of our amazing photographers!
#beargrease2023 #sleddogs #sleddograce #minnesota #exploremn #northshoremn
What a race! The mushers and their canine athletes braved sub-zero temperatures all the way up the trail. Beargrease sponsors/partners are the lifeblood of the race, and we appreciate all of them!
Find out about becoming a sponsor for the 40th running of Beargrease in January 2024 by clicking the link in our bio.
#beargrease2023 #sleddogs #sleddograce #dogsledding #duluthmn #minnesota #exploremn #northshoremn
Communications experts from the 148_fw 133airliftwing & mnnationalguard conducted a winter training exercise in conjunction with the #johnbeargreasesleddogmarathon. Airmen & soldiers established reliable radio, cellular & network communications in subzero temps at a remote camp near Grand Marais, Minn. 148fwcareers #beargrease2023
Teams leaving Sawbill on Monday morning. John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. #johnbeargreasesleddogmarathon #sleddogs #winter #onlyinmn #beargrease2023 #visitduluth #beargrease #beargrease2023
#wintersports #destinationduluth #perfectduluthday #captivatemn #onlyinmn #perfectduluthday #duluthmn #capturemn #lakesuperiormagazine #canon #captureduluth #exploreminnesota #duluthsuperiorcameraclub #minnesotaexposure #authenticduluth You can find my most current work at https://m.facebook.com/ambersimpressions/ Prints are available upon request! Enjoy!
Map courtesy of John Beargrease Marathon.