MARQUETTE, MI-- Trail conditions in and around Marquette County are great for the UP200, Midnight Run and Jack Pine 30 sled dog races.
That’s according to president of the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association Pat Torreano, who says recent cold temperatures have hardened up the trails, which is easier on the dogs’ paws and legs.
She says while musher numbers were initially low because of the weather and slow economy, those numbers have rebounded nicely to normal levels.
Torreano notes some changes are in store this year. She says all activities for the UP200 and Midnight Run will take place at the YMCA of Marquette County, including the Thursday night mushers’ banquet and Saturday afternoon Midnight Run finishers’ banquet. But the biggest change comes in the Midnight Run, which will finish in a new spot.
“The Midnight Run is going to leave downtown Marquette after the 200 on Friday evening at about 8 o’clock,” she says. “They will go to Chatham as they have in the past, but they will rest there five and a half hours instead of five. And then instead of going on to Munising, they’re going to return to Marquette, and they will arrive in Marquette… our estimated time is around 9 a.m. Saturday morning in the Lower Harbor.”
Torreano says officials have wanted a longer Midnight Run, which is now a 90-mile race. She says it will give more spectators a chance to see mushers finish.
Events kick off Friday at 7 p.m. in front of the Mining Journal in downtown Marquette. For more information go to www.up200.org.
