No competition of any kind would be nearly as exciting without awards. In sled dog racing, awards are presented to promote sportsmanship, encourage safety, and to have a little fun. For the U.P. 200 & Midnight Run, the best way to appreciate this is to attend the pre-race banquet, as well as the Awards breakfast.
The Pre-Race Banquet is always held the Thursday before the race after registration has closed. It happens right after the mushers' mandatory meeting. This is a good time to actually see the mushers, their handlers and family, and to be there for the bib draw, which determines the racers' starting position. At this event, the sponsors are formally recognized as well.
The Awards Breakfast for the U.P. 200 is held the Monday morning following the race finale. All awards are given out here and this is when you'll hear the entertaining "tales of the trails". Awards for the Midnight Run are usually held on Saturday after the race is complete. The actual time and location for this award ceremony will be announced.
THE COOLEY CHALLENGE
Every year a musher is selected by the veterinarians for his exemplary care of his dog team. The dogs depend totally on the musher for their care and welfare their entire lives. The team is just that...a team...of mushers and dogs - but the musher is the only one who can give the care each dog deserves. We are grateful to Bonnie Cooley who makes this award possible each year. We all strive to learn the invaluable lessons taught by her husband, Dr. Tom Cooley D.V.M. Tom was the U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship's veterinarian for 1990-1991, and was also a veterinarian for the Iditarod. He died in a lodge fire in Minnesota in 1991.
THE TOM PORN SPORTSMANSHIP
This coveted sportsmanship award is presented by the mushers themselves to a fellow musher who demonstrates a positive attitude along with fair play and compassion for his peers. Tom Porn was a sportsman who cared about people and was always willing to lend a hand to his fellow man. He was the first official photographer of the U.P. 200 and a long time volunteer and supporter. Tom died tragically in a scuba diving accident.
THE RED LANTERN
This is an actual red lantern, inscribed with a plaque, commemorating the last (but most definitely NOT the least) musher to complete the challenge and arrive in Marquette to cross the finish line.