Originally scheduled to take place in January, the 40th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon was postponed until March 2nd due to lack of snow, and the starting line was moved to Two Harbors, shortening the race.
19 mushers registered for the full marathon, which spanned 267 miles between Two Harbors and Grand Portage. Erin Aili, who had won previously in 2021, came in first place this year. Aili is from Ray, MN, and her husband Keith won the 2023 race. Four of the dogs on Aili’s team this year were also on Keith’s team in 2023. The other finishing mushers in the marathon were, in order, Erin Altemus, Jesse Terry, Shawn McCarty, Mary Manning, Clayton Perry, Colleen Wallin, Nathan Schroeder, David Burge, Alice White, and Mary England.
Two shorter races were also held: the Beargrease 120 and the Beargrease 40.
According to their website (beargrease.com), “The Beargrease 120 is considered by many to be one of the most competitive mid-distance races in the lower 48. The slate of mushers in this race is equally as impressive as the marathon.” The 120 race started in Two Harbors and finished in Finland at Trestle Inn.
Coming in first for the Beargrease 120 was Rita Wehseler, followed by Joanna Oberg, Nick Turman, Ryan Miller, Talia Martens, Elena Freking, Blake Freking, Kevin Mathis, Alyssa Sabatino, Scott Edgett, Jen Freking, Nicole Freking, Billie Thompson, and William Sima.
Referred to as a “Recreational Class” race, the Beargrease 40 usually consists of younger teams that come out to “cut their teeth” or train their yearling teams. This race started in Two Harbors and ended later the same day Finland.
For the Beargrease 40, Eric Nyren came in first, followed by Amelia Evavold, Dusty Klaven, Tom Clark, Elizabeth Coons, Haley Moog, Eva Robinson, Kara Grangroth, Mike Gleason, and Taylor Squires.
Along with an exercise in persistence and flexibility, some special highlights this year were the debut of Junior marathon mushers, 14 year old Elena Freking and 12 year old Nicole Freking, and a surprise wedding engagement of long-time volunteers Frank Bisceglie and Leah Neidecker. Despite the challenges of a postponed race, a moved start location, and other weather difficulties, the mushers persevered and managed to make a good running of the 40th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.
