Gunflint Mail Run moves to February after years of weather-related rescheduling
After multiple years of postponing or canceling the annual sled-dog race due to insufficient snow or poor conditions, the Gunflint Mail Run organizers have officially moved the race to February 2026.
The race has traditionally been held in early January, but in recent years has been rescheduled to February or March to allow for improved snow and racing conditions. In 2024, the Gunflint Mail Run and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race were canceled.
“There have been a couple of years where Mother Nature just did not cooperate snow-wise,” Race Organizer Cathy Quinn said.
Rather than schedule a traditional January race date, the Gunflint Mail Run organizers have decided to set February as the new race date. Quinn said the recent rain and warm conditions along the North Shore on Dec. 18 validate the race organizer’s decision to move the race to later this winter.
The 2026 Gunflint Mail Run will take place Feb. 7 with the first sled dog team departing Trail Center at 8 a.m.
Traditionally, the Gunflint Mail Run occurs before the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race, but this year it will take place afterward. The 2026 John Beargrease Sled Dog Race is scheduled for Jan. 25.
Quinn said that as of mid-December, 16 sled dog teams are already signed up for the race, which is near the maximum capacity, given limited parking around the Trail Center. “There is room for more teams, but they would have to come with one of the mushers that’s already signed up for the race. You’d have to be part of their kennel, essentially,” she said.
2026 registered mushers include Brian Bergen, Julia Cross, Emily Ford, Blake Freking, Elena Freking, Jennifer Freking, Eva Kolodji, Kevin Mathis, Joanna Oberg, Alyssa Sabatino, Luke Schieffelbein, Bill Sima, John Stumm, Adam Treeful, Rita Wehseler, and Sean De Wolski.
The annual race depends entirely on volunteers, Quinn said, and there is a need for individuals to sign up to help. Volunteers are needed for road crossings, start line, finish line, inside volunteers to track check-ins, race stats, and more. Learn about volunteer opportunities here.
WTIP will be broadcasting live from Trail Center during the 2026 Gunflint Mail Run.
WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with Gunflint Mail Run Organizer Cathy Quinn about the 2026 sled-dog race. The audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins December 19, 2025
