GRAND MARAIS, Mich. (WZMQ) – After 17 mushers and their dogs left Marquette on Friday evening, they reached their furthest destination at the Grand Marais halfway checkpoint on Saturday.
Sled dog teams crossed the line around noon, after running 114.9 miles. Here, teams stopped for about six hours to eat, sleep, and receive vet checks, as part of their mandatory 16 hours of rest.
One of the first racers to reach the checkpoint was Bib #3, Erin Aili, who took second overall. As she took her time to sleep, her family helped tend to her pack, while staying quiet in anticipation for the second half of her race.
“Mushers will often say ‘this is where the race really starts,’ because strategically, they’ve already done half the race. If they eat really well, they lay down and rest right away, you’ve got a fresh dog team for the second half,” explained Aili’s mother, Paula Rossi.
Bib #16, Remy Leduc and his team were third to reach the checkpoint, taking fourth overall. He says as the races go along, the tight knit community of teams, although competing, keep a close eye on one another.
“There’s not much of us anymore, not like it used to be, so we really try to help each other on the trail, and make it as easy as possible for each other,” he said.
During the warm afternoon, hundreds of spectators filled the streets of Grand Marais to welcome the teams, with opportunities to place their bids at the UP200 silent auction, and have a look at the canine athletes themselves.
“The experience has been awesome,” said spectator Jordan Graves of Rochester Hills, Michigan. “Seeing everyone coming out and having a good time, seeing something that’s so unique to this region, it’s pretty special.”
13 of the 17 sled dog teams finished on Sunday morning at the Marquette Ojibwa Casino after roughly 40 hours of competition. To check out this year’s full standings, visit up200.org.
