2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon kicks off on January 29

The sled dog racing season is upon us. 

As many individuals celebrate a successful 2023 Gunflint Mail Run and congratulate the Cook County mushers, Matthew Schmidt and Erin Altemus, it’s nearly time to prepare for the next famed sled dog race along the North Shore. 

The 39th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is right around the corner. The event kicks off at the infamous Billy’s Bar in Duluth on Jan. 29.

The weekend racing event will host three separate races. In addition to the traditional 300-mile race from Billy’s Bar in Duluth to Mineral Center in Grand Portage, there will be a 120-mile and 40-mile race. 

Brittany North, vice president of John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, said if individuals are looking to attend the race, there are numerous checkpoints along the 300-mile race to enjoy. While some are easily accessible, such as Billy’s Bar, Trail Center on the Gunflint Trail, or Skyport Lodge, a few checkpoints exist for the more adventurous attendees. 

“A really fun checkpoint to hang out and stay at is Sawbill. It’s always a favorite of volunteers,” North said. 

The John Beargrease relies heavily on volunteers to host the annual event. “I can say Beargrease would not exist if it weren’t for volunteers,” North said. 

She added there are volunteer opportunities from start to finish that include behind-the-scenes computer work, dog handlers, trail checkpoint teams, fire tenders, and many more.

North started as a volunteer in 2015 before settling into her current position. She said she keeps coming back each year because of the volunteer camaraderie. “For me, it’s so great to be able to come back to such a big yearly event and say hi to all your friends.” 

“Just keeping the history of the event and the history of mushing alive and educating people on who John Beargrease is and why we are doing this race,” she added. “I really like that aspect of it.”

North said the only change to this year’s event is an increased social media presence. “Our goal is to make the Beargrease an inclusive experience, even if you can’t make it there,” she said. North will document the exciting weekend events from start to finish and share the highlights on the John Beargrease social media channels. 

The event is from Jan. 29-31. To find the list of checkpoints and a list of mushers or to sign up as a volunteer, visit the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon website. 

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Brittany North, vice president of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, to learn more about the upcoming event. Audio from the interview is below. 

Kalli Hawkins January 11, 2023