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Some friends and I met at the Sawbill checkpoint to photograph the 2016 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon as the teams were on the return leg. This year the marathon started in Two Harbors and ran all the way to Grand Portage. After checking in at Mineral Center, the teams turned around and raced back to Duluth. In total it was 371 miles over some of the most challenging terrain in Minnesota.

Here Nathan Schroeder is arriving at the Sawbill Trail checkpoint. Nathan won the race for the fourth year in a row.

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The look on his lead dog’s face is one of determination.

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This year the warmer weather made for a fast race. Here Jason Campeau is applying the brakes as his dogs come speeding down an icy hill. When the mushers are without gloves or a hat, it is warm.

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The brakes were really kicking up snow. Jason won the “Rookie of the Year” award and placed second.

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It takes many harnesses and straps to keep 14 dogs pulling together and not get tangled. This team belongs to Erin Altemus from Grand Marais. Erin placed sixth. Erin said in her Facebook post, “One of the things that makes this race and racing in general, worth it. Watching dogs perform beyond your highest expectations.”

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I thought these two snow sculptures made a great frame for one of the photos. They look like boxing gloves or upside down dog booties. Warm temperatures made them lean precariously from their tree stump perches. This is Colleen Wallin who placed fifth.

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There were many photographers taking photos of the racers. The most passionate to get photos of the dogs was Jessie.

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Her smile shows her excitement for photographing the dogs.

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Jessie let me post three of her photos of which this is her favorite. Jessie has a talent for photography.

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This team is driven by Erin Altemus from Grand Marais. The dogs are rounding the corner at the Sawbill Checkpoint.

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Racing is not easy especially over icy trails. Several of the mushers had their sleds flip over and were dragged down the trail before they could upright them.

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