The Midnight Run is an eight dog race. This race is typically a much faster race than the longer distance U.P. 200, due to the distance involved. This race has become one of the most popular races for the Upper Peninsula's sled dog racing weekend, primarily due to the fine field of competitors it routinely draws.
The Midnight Run begins with its starting chute in Gwinn. The first musher will leave the chute at 6:00 p.m. on February 20th, 2009 over a trail of approximately 91 miles.
Mushers and teams will proceed over Marquette Mountain, under US 41 at the Carp River Bridge, then swinging on to Harvey with a checkpoint in Deerton, MI. There will be a mandatory layover there.
Racers will then go from Deerton to the finish line in the downtown of Munising/Wetmore where it should end around a spectator friendly time of 9:00 or 10:00 AM on February 21st. A banquet will be held after the race tentatively scheduled at 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 21st. For more information about this area, see the Alger Chamber of Commerce website, the City of Munising, the Munising Visitors' Bureau or the Explore Munising websites.
Estimated Distances
| Gwinn to Deerton |
49 miles |
|---|---|
| Deerton to Wetmore | 42 miles |
NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT: The UPSDA Board held it's August Meeting in Munising at Sydney's Restaurant. The board voted to end the Midnight Run in downtown Munising beginning with the 2009 Race. This is a very exciting addition to the Midnight Run. There were several Munising community leaders present at the meeting. All promised support for the change. Munising is now planning to go ahead with a winter carnival centered around the race. Many thanks to Carl Hansen and Denise Hansen for there efforts to bring this about.
For mushers information, the UP 200 and Midnight run will run the same route until they get to Slapneck Creek where the Midnight Run will begin a new trail into Munising. Promises to be a fun ride. Cathy Sleeter, our Trail Boss, has been working with Carl Hansen to create a fun run for all. The Midnight Run will still start in downtown Gwinn as it has in the past.
There are several events scheduled for race weekend this year. Many people will be in attendance. Plan to sign up soon mushers. This is the 20th running of both races and we are planning to really celebrate.
Mush On,
Pat Torreano
President, UPSDA
