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The 295-mile John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon was this week. It is the longest sled dog race in the lower 48 states. Mushers start in Duluth and finish in Grand Portage. Just short of the Canadian Border.

There are six different check points where mushers can rest their dogs. One of my favorites is the Sawbill Trail. Here Jen Freking is leaving the Sawbill checkpoint early Monday morning. Jen finished 9th overall. Jen and her husband Blake I think own the most beautiful dogs. They are Huskies.

Last year Blake and Jen finished in first and second place.

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Resting at the Sawbill Checkpoint.

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Mushers have a lot to do at each checkpoint inspecting the dogs, getting them fed and bedded down, and replacing booties. Each team has to take a mandatory 24 hours of rest time during the race. Here Jen is replacing booties on one of her lead dogs before heading out.

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This is that lead dog. It has the most striking blue eyes.

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At Trail Center Checkpoint Colleen Wallin came in first. Colleen finished in 5th place overall. Colleen talked about encountering two moose on the trail. Luckily, they were in the woods and not in the middle of the trail which could have been dangerous for the dogs and musher.

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Trail Center checkpoint 26 miles up the Gunflint Trail. This is another of my favorites. The little restaurant located there served over 350 meals that day.

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Peter McClelland crossing Poplar Lake. Peter finished in 8th place.

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Ryan Redington from Alaska finished first.

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Even though this year’s race had warmer temperatures frost still formed on the dogs.

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It is fun to see how much these dogs love to run.

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This year’s race had lots of beautiful scenery along with three to four feet of snow and frosty trees.

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Hoar-frost was frozen to each needle creating a winter wonderland. I just wish the sun would have come out.

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This row of mail boxes on the Gunflint Trail show how deep the snow is this year.

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