A lack of snow and icy conditions on the North Shore have prompted organizers to postpone the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon until March 2.

The races — a 40-miler, a 120-miler and the 300-mile marathon stretching from Duluth to Grand Portage — were initially scheduled for Jan. 26.

Organizers canceled last year’s race after record warmth and near snowless conditions.

“We are heartbroken that, once again, weather — a factor entirely out of our control — has impacted our plans,” Beargrease board president Mike Keyport said in a news release Thursday. “However, the safety of the dogs and mushers remains our unwavering priority, and we are determined to ensure that the rescheduled race continues to honor the spirit and legacy of the Beargrease.”

This year’s race will be the event’s 40th running.

Unlike this week last year, there’s snow on the ground, but several days of warm temperatures and rain in late December ate away at northeastern Minnesota’s snowpack.

Related Articles

2 stabbed, 1 fatally, during New Year’s Eve altercation at southwestern Minnesota bar

Minnesota abortion numbers rose in 2023, driven by out-of-state recipients

Becker County prosecutor wants to keep word ‘senator’ out of Nicole Mitchell trial

Triumph and tragedy, sometimes in one day? That was local news photography in 2024.

New digital evidence requirement begins Jan. 1 in Minnesota