"Perfect Duluth Day" For Beargrease

The temperature hit "0" just before the 1:00pm race time....perfect for the start of the 26th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. And, once again, the "best seat in the house" belonged to members of Northland. As the photo above indicates, bright sunny skies and even a patch of open water on Lake Superior greeted each of the dog teams as they arrived at Northland, coming within inches of the members who gather each year for the start of the race.
The start of the race has become one of the more popular events at Northland, and a near sell-out crowd was on hand this year to enjoy the Beargrease Buffet and Sunday Brunch.
Prior to the race, dog teams from Outdoor (ed)Ventures were on hand to give rides to the children (and grandchildren) of Northland members. All proceeds from the event are provided to the group's scholarship fund. Again this year, two teams were kept busy right up to race time providing the closest experience many of the kids will ever get to a working sled dog team.

Northland's well placed fire-pit, just a few yards off the race track, provided more than enough warmth for onlookers, including some guests of Northland members. A couple who was in Duluth from New Hampshire last year returned again this year for the race, as did a few former Minnesotan's, including one who had arrived from the sunny climes of California.
Did you get some photos of the start of the race that you'd like to share? Let us know and we'll post them here.