MARQUETTE, MI-- The trail for the UP200 and Midnight Run sled dog races is in great condition.
That’s according to “Ikey,” the UP200 race headquarters coordinator. She says Wednesday’s warmth and overnight cold has really packed it down and made it a smooth run for the dogs. Ikey says even Iditarod mushers love to race in the U.P.
“They said that we are so much like the Iditarod, with the area, the land layout, the weather, and we are a qualifier for them to get into the Iditarod, as well,” she says.
Eighteen teams are registered for the UP200. They’ll leave downtown Marquette starting at 7 p.m. Friday. The course leads to Grand Marais and back, with the mushers finishing Sunday afternoon in Marquette’s Lower Harbor.
Twenty-two teams are registered for the Midnight Run. That course takes mushers to Chatham and back. Midnight Run teams will arrive at the Lower Harbor Saturday morning.
Ikey says additional road crossing volunteers are needed for Sunday. To volunteer or for more information, call 906-235-7011.
