January is Dogsledding Month in Cook County, Minn:
Gunflint Mail Run Jan 5 – 6 and John Beargrease Jan. 27 – 29
#LSN_Outdoors #LSN_CookCounty Gunflint-Mail Run 2015 Erin Altemus and team
COOK COUNTY, MINNESOTA - Updated January 25, 2019 (LSN) January is a time for residents and visitors to celebrate modern-day mushers and their canine athlete companions at the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race Saturday, Jan. 5 – Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 and the 35th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Sunday, Jan. 27 – Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019.
“We encourage visitors to come and watch the dog sled races,” says, Linda Jurek, executive director for Visit Cook County. “We are really excited to have both the Beargrease 120 and the Beargrease Marathon end in Cook County this year. The marathon will end at Grand Portage Casino, and the Beargrease 120 will end at Lutsen Mountains.
“Visitors who have a dog-sled race on their bucket list can also visit our local kennels, where they can learn about the dogs, the dog-sled racing sport, and even make a run on a dog sled themselves. Both dog-sled races are looking for volunteers, which is a great way to get an up-close look at this exciting winter sport.”
Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race
The Gunflint Mail Run kicks off the start of dogsledding season in Cook County, and features two races, the original event, which is a 12-dog, 100-mile race that includes two runs, approximately 50 miles each, over a two-day stretch, and an eight-dog shorter and faster race (65 miles). The race will start and finish at Trail Center Lodge, 7611 Gunflint Trail, on Poplar Lake, Grand Marais, Minn. (Trail Center Lodge is approximately 30 miles up the Gunflint Trail).
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
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The 35th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon will run Sunday, Jan. 27 – Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. It is scheduled to start at Billy’s Bar, 3502 Tischer Road, Duluth, Minn. and end at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, 70 Casino Drive, Grand Portage, Minn.
The John Beargrease has been shortened this year to 300 miles, but is still a qualifier for the famed “Iditarod” in Alaska and remains the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. Two additional race legs are scheduled during the John Beargrease, the Beargrease 120, the most popular competitive mid-distance race in North America, and the Beargrease 40, a recreational class race. The Beargrease 40 will end at Two Harbors, Minn. Gravel Pit on Sunday, Jan. 27, which will also the serve as an alternate marathon start location, if there are low levels of snow in Duluth, Minn. The Beargrease 120 will end at Lutsen Mountains, 467 Ski Hill Road, Lutsen, Minn. on Monday, Jan. 28
Here’s a list of some of our favorite checkpoints in Cook County, MN. Read on below in the FAQ’s to get some good tips on the best spots to take a picture and enjoy the race!
Monday, January 28, 2019 in LUTSEN:
Join us at Lutsen Mountains Ski & Summer Resort for the Beargrease 120 Finish!
First Finisher expected at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, January 28 – Public Welcome!
Finisher Banquet at 3:30 p.m. at Papa Charlie’s, tickets $20 Purchase
Beargrease Marathon Finish: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 in GRAND PORTAGE:
Join us at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino for the Beargrease Marathon Finish!
First finisher expected at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29 – Public Welcome!
Closing Ceremonies & Marathon Awards Banquet, Wednesday, January 30 at 9:00 a.m. $10.00
About the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Headquartered in Duluth, Minn., the mission of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is to conduct the best long-distance race in North America in a culturally sensitive manner, and to promote the sport of dog mushing.