MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The UP200 held their annual pre-race banquet Thursday evening at the Holiday Inn in Marquette.
The banquet honors everyone involved in the race, from volunteers, veteran mushers, rookies, race officials, and sponsors all gathered to break bread with one another and afterward receive the bib numbers for what order they will start. Ryan Anderson is a veteran of the UP200. A race. He always enjoys.
“Oh, it’s one of my favorites, you know, I like, I like the communities here, the trail is great, you know, because it’s more of just a dog trail, so it’s not on a snowmobile trail as much, you know. So, I think, just the terrain of the trail and just, you know, the force that we go through and all that I really enjoy it,” recalls Anderson.
This event could not have happened without the army of volunteers who keep the race running smoothly. A major source of these volunteers is NMU senior Mackenzie Geary’s internship has been a major part of her collegiate experience.
“I got this internship during the beginning of my sophomore year, and it really has shaped my experience at Northern,” said Geary.
NMU has been involved with the UP200 from its inception, providing interns and volunteers in every aspect of the race. Northern’s Chief Marketing Officer, Derek Hall, says theUP200 fits with their personality and hopefully better defines what being a Wildcat is. is all about.
“Yeah, we want to show our students how can we embrace winter, you know we’re here, let’s do it and be part of the community. There’s a lot of energy on campus,” said Hall.
For a complete listing of bib numbers, and starting orders for all races, please visit the UP200 website, up200.org
