January 18 , 2005
MIDNIGHT RUN COURSE UNDERGOES MAKEOVER
In its sixteenth year, the annual Midnight Run Sled Dog Race is undergoing some big changes. In fact, the February 18 th running will feature a whole new course.
Until now, the Upper Peninsula ’s Midnight Run has traditionally begun in Chatham . There was then a checkpoint at Rapid River, and finally the race would conclude with the teams racing over the Bay de Noc, ending in Escanaba.
This year, the race will be run further north. The mushers will take off at 6 p.m. on February 18th from Gwinn. The midway point of the race will be a mandatory five-hour layover in Deerton. The race will end on the morning of February 19th in Wetmore, with the majority of the participants coming in around 9 or 10 a.m.
There are a few reasons for the changes to the Midnight Run’s race course. However, the main reason is that conditions figure to be better further north.
“In the previous fifteen years, about four years had optimum snow conditions,” says UPSDA president Pat Torreano.
In previous years, there has been a lack of snow throughout the course. There have also been safety issues with the mushers crossing the Bay de Noc between Gladstone and Escanaba.
Torreano remembers some particularly poor conditions: “I’ve been in Escanaba at the finish when there’s been green grass.”
This year’s Midnight Run will feature a new challenge, as the mushers will be traveling over Marquette Mountain. In fact, that part of the course coincides with the old ending of the U.P. 200.
The dog teams themselves will also change for this year’s edition, with 8-dog teams, instead of the 6-dog teams that competed in previous years.
Since the course is changing, many of the volunteers from places like Rapid River and Escanaba will no longer be participating. While there is some obvious disappointment from community members in previous checkpoint areas, Torreano sincerely hopes people understand the need for changes to the course.
“We have to let the dogs run on snow,” remarks Torreano. “That’s the bottom line.”
While there will be new volunteers to help with the altered course, Torreano mentioned how grateful the UPSDA is for all the help they’ve received from past volunteers.
As for the new course, there’s a plethora of things to look forward to.
Gwinn, the starting location, is a community with good food and a great atmosphere. There are always spectators with bonfires ready to take in the action, as they’ve done for years with the U.P. 200. The spot also features a couple of very experien ce d checkpoint coordinators in Barb Matson and Lynn Tousignant.
As for Deerton, this is the first year it’s become a checkpoint for the Midnight Run. It will be an assisted checkpoint, and will be mandatory for all Midnight Run teams.
The Hiawatha Log Homes near Munising will be the finishing spot for the Midnight Run. After the race , there will be a banquet at Sydney’s in Munising at 4 p.m. The banquet will feature an awards ceremony and is open to the public.
Though the course changes were carried out mostly to give the teams better conditions, viewing opportunities should also improve.
Midway through the first leg of the race, the mushers will run near the Nordic Bay Lodge, part of a trail it shares with the U.P. 200. The start times are lined up such that Midnight Run participants will come through this spot just after the U.P. 200 contestants. This will provide spectators with a chance to see more dog teams, as well as making the trail crew’s job a little easier.
Finally, the race ’s estimated 9-10 a.m. ending in Wetmore should provide a good time for spectators to take in the finish. However, it is recommended that potential spectators monitor the website (www.up200.org) for changes in the race ’s estimated finish time.
The Midnight Run has been a fantastic event for many years, and it only figures to improve with the recent changes.
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Prepared by Gavin Telfer