Thank you for competing in the U.P. 200/Midnight Run Sled Dog Races. The information below will help to make your race experience easier. See you February 14th for your MANDATORY MEETING. Maximum number of entrants for the U.P. 200 is limited to 40, and the limit for the Midnight Run is 40 teams.
U.P. 200 Qualification Guidelines: To enter the U.P. 200, mushers are required to have finished the Midnight Run or other equivalent sixty (60) mile continuous running within the past three seasons. Previous U.P. 200/Midnight Run entrants have met this requirement.
Entrants under 18 years of age must have parental signed approval and under 14 must have parental and race official approval for entry. See Rules.
Layover Time: The U.P. 200 has SIXTEEN hours of total layover time plus the required starting differential time; the sixteen hours can be used at any of the checkpoints. The Midnight Run has a mandatory FIVE hour layover plus the team's start differential time based on starting position.
Order of Bib Draw: An independent panel will draw bib numbers for mushers. Numbers will be drawn for mushers in the order that their entries were received.
Unassisted Checkpoint: U.P. 200 Mushers will pack their supply bags (provided by UPSDA) for the unassisted checkpoint at their vet check.
Registration: Race HQ will be open Wednesday, Feb. 13th through Monday Feb. 18th at the Holiday Inn, Marquette, MI. You must register prior to the musher meetings, so please plan to arrive as early as possible before your scheduled meeting. There will be information and welcome gifts to pick up in addition to finalizing necessary paperwork. You can purchase additional banquet tickets at this time. A message board is available in Race HQ during race week. Please check it periodically.
Mushers Meetings: The mandatory mushers meetings are on Thursday, Feb. 14th at the Holiday Inn. The Midnight Run begins with roll call at 4:00 p.m. The U.P. 200 begins with roll call at 5:00 p.m. The meeting room to be used will be posted at registration.
Pre-Race Banquet/Bib Draw: The musher pre-race banquet is held at the Holiday Inn on Thursday night and begins at 6:00 p.m. with a social hour. A buffet dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. with the bib draw held during the musher meetings. All U.P. 200 and Midnight Run mushers' meals are complimentary. Early reservations are recommended. Additional tickets can be paid for at the time of registration.
Vet Check: The Vet Check is mandatory for all U.P. 200 and Midnight Run teams. It will be held on Friday, Feb. 15th at the Holiday Inn parking lot. If there is a scheduling problem, please call Pam Forsberg at 906-226-2571 (days) or 906-249-5157 (evenings). It is very important to keep your scheduled Vet Check time as time is limited and there might not be time to check you team if you miss your scheduled appointment. Rabies vaccines must be given by a veterinarian at least TWO weeks prior to race time. U.P. 200 mushers will pack their unassisted checkpoint supply drop bag at their vet check.
Midnight Run Awards Banquet: The Awards Banquet will be Saturday afternoon. Details will be listed on the website as soon as they become available as well as at HQ during race week. All Midnight Run mushers receive a complimentary ticket.
U.P. 200 Awards Breakfast: Awards for the U.P. 200 are presented at a breakfast on Monday morning, 8:00 a.m. at the Holiday Inn. All U.P. 200 mushers receive a complimentary breakfast. Additional tickets are available and can be purchased at Registration or Race HQ.