North Shore set for 2022 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Today (Jan. 30) is the start of the 2022 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

The approximately 300-mile marathon race takes teams of mushers up the North Shore and ends in Grand Portage. The race is likely to end sometime on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Beargrease spokesperson Monica Hendrickson told WTIP this year’s Beargrease marathon will begin at 10 a.m. at Billy’s Bar in Duluth. Onlookers and fans of the race will once again line the mushing trail for the race after largely being asked to follow the race virtually due to COVID-19.

Similar to the Gunflint Mail Run, organizers are asking spectators to wear masks, especially in the shuttles and at the numerous checkpoints along the way. They’ve also asked spectators to leave plenty of space between them and volunteers and mushers, Hendrickson said.

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with Hendrickson about the 2022 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Audio below.