Info from the Vets for Spectators
The 2008 sled dog races came as close to being perfect as any race could be. The weather conditions were very good, there were no injuries or accidents, and race administration worked very smoothly. This was a textbook year - the mushers were very complimentary about the condition of the trail and the way the race was managed. It just doesn't get any better than this. All the volunteers simply outdid themselves in the performance of their assigned tasks. Please see the Archives Page for more.
Slick, fast trails marked the 2007 races. Several of the mushers for the Midnight Run had difficulty with several of the turns on the trail resulting in a modification of the trail for the 2008 races. Prior to the race, there was a waiting list of mushers waiting to enter both races. By racetime, the waiting list dwindled and all were able to compete. Winners of the U.P. 200 and Midnight Run were Tim Calhoun and Don Galloway. Professional football kicker Jay Feely of the NY Giants was on hand to help publicize the races. Please see the Archives Page for more.
The seventeenth U.P. 200 began with an exciting field of competitors and hopes were high amongst the racers. Our trail crew worked arduously before the race to get the trail established despite the snowy conditions. During the race, blizzard-like conditions struck in the region between Munising and Grand Marais. The front runners of the race were misdirected down a wrong trail due to a snowplow accidentally turning one of the trail markers. In Alaska, the Yukon Quest race had conditions so bad they sent in helicopters to rescue dog teams. The U.P. 200 was curtailed in Grand Marais due to weather. Musher Tasha Stielstra was first to arrive, followed by Anna Anderson and Michael Bestgen. Please see the Archives Page for more.
This year's Midnight Run had a large field of competitors with some excellent stories about the run down the Marquette Mountain ski slope amongst the downhill skiers. This race drew more attention than it has in past years and the purse was raised as well. Despite the severe weather conditions, the race was held up temporarily at Wetmore, but mushers completed the course in Wetmore with Sharon Nelson-Curtice taking the first place, Don Galloway following her and Mary Gilbertson coming in third. Additional results are listed on the Archives Page.
The sixteenth running of the U.P. 200 was held in almost perfect conditions. The trail was touted by mushers as "the best ever", with snowpack producing fast running conditions. Montana native Rick Larson took first, followed by Newberry MI native Tasha Stielstra, with Minnesotan Keith Aili in third. The final four finishers completed the race in Deerton, MI due to weather and safety conditions. They were credited with full completion of the race.
Additional results are listed on the Archives Page.
This year's Midnight Run saw a new race course, beginning in Gwinn and ending in Munising/Wetmore. With a five hour layover in Deerton, MI, the race provided a very exciting venue with the top three finishers completing the run within ten minutes of each other.
Additional results are listed on the Archives Page.