‘A Tale of Two Erins’ on first full day of 2021 Beargrease

Musher Erin Schouweiler was the first person to cross the finish line in the John Beargrease 120-mile race. This is her second consecutive victory in the race.

Schouweiler crossed the finish line near the Trestle Inn just before 6 a.m. Her total race time was 18 hours, 57 minutes, 49 seconds.
In second place in the 120-mile race was Michael Bestgen followed by Rita Wehseler.

The full marathon continues through the night Monday and into Tuesday. Gunflint Trail-based musher Erin Altemus was out in front for much of the day Monday as the leaderboard continues to shuffle.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Beargrease Spokesperson Monica Hendrickson Feb. 1 for an update on the 2021 race. Listen to the audio below to hear the full report.

Joe Friedrichs January 1, 2021