The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is well underway. Four-time winner Ryan Anderson was the first out of the Sawbill Check Point at a quarter after six this morning and was extending his lead during his first few hours back on the trail. Nick Vigilante, Keith Aili and others are in pursuit.
The Beargrease 40 was won by Ashley Thaemert who was running her “puppy team” in preparation of running those dogs in the Beargrease 120 in the future. Joanna Oberg was the first to the Trestle Inn just before 4am to claim victory in the Beargrease 120.
Tune in to The North 1033 for further reports that can be heard today at 11 am and 2 pm, and again on Tuesday at 8am, 11 am and 2 pm.
As of 11am, it's been 25 hours since the start of the 2023 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. The Beargrease 40 and 120 are wrapped up, while mushers for the full-distance race are closing in on the northernmost reaches of the course.
Ryan Anderson's team is holding the lead on what appears to be a very fast course this year. A few miles behind are the teams led by Keith Aili and Nick Vigilante. As John Stetson stated this morning, there is still plenty of race left. All seventeen teams of the full-distance John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon are still on the course.
At 2pm just over half the teams had arrived at the Trail Center, with one team having scratched due to losing the trail. John Stetson told us this is a pivotal point in the race with 130 miles to go and some of the longer runs still coming up.
Coverage of the 2023 John Bear Grease Sled Dog Marathon is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
