2023 Gunflint Mail Run happening on January 7

The annual Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race celebrates the long history of dog sledding in Cook County. 

The race will occur on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at Trail Center Lodge. This year’s race will feature two classes, a 65-mile 8-dog race, and a 100-mile 12-dog race. The first race will start at 8 a.m., and the second will begin at 9 a.m.

Teams will start and finish at Trail Center Lodge, located about 25 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais. 

“Trail Center is iconic,” Cathy Quinn, the race organizer, said. 

“It’s a fun place to hang out in between when teams are coming and going,” she said. “You can get really close to the teams as they come in and out of the shoots.”

Following the severe winter storm, Quinn said the race organizers are assessing the trails to prepare for the Jan. 7 race. In addition to downed trees, she said there also is “potential slush on lakes, which could be a problem.”

As the anticipation for the upcoming Gunflint Mail Run builds, Quinn said there is still a need for volunteers to help at road crossings. The annual sled dog race relies on a network of volunteers to provide traffic control, ensure safe road crossings, and help get teams into the start chute. 

More information on the race, including details on how to sign up to volunteer, is available at gunflintmailrun.com.

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff and Matthew Brown will broadcast live from the Gunflint Mail Run this Saturday, Jan. 7, from 8 to 10 a.m. Tune into WTIP 90.7 for all the latest action.

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with Cathy Quinn, the Gunflint Mail Run race organizer. Audio from the interview is below. 

Kalli Hawkins January 2, 2023