Mushers React To 2024 Beargrease Cancellation

SILVER BAY, Minn. — Beargrease officials announced Tuesday that the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon would not be taking place this year. The decision was based on the lack of snow and the likelihood that a rescheduled race would interfere with other races that are scheduled.

Dog mushers are disappointed and saddened, but not surprised by the decision to cancel this year’s race.

Colleen Wallin trains and races at Silver Creek Sled Dogs in Two Harbors.  She says that just based on the conditions, the decision to cancel was not was not unexpected.

“Of course sadness, but not surprised at all,” said Colleen Wallin. “Just looking around and looking at the ground we haven’t been on a sled yet. There aren’t probably any mushers in Minnesota that have been able to hit the trails on a sled.”

Instead of training with sleds on the snow, the dogs have been pulling a four-wheeler on gravel, which is good for the dogs, but it isn’t perfect.

“When we don’t have snow and we’re running on gravel that’s tough on dogs feet. So we’re going through 1000s of booties, we’re making sure we’re protecting their feet,” said Wallin.

It’s not only the dogs that need to work on the snow, Wallin said she needs the practice, too. Different muscles are used by both the dogs and herself when they’re running on snow.

Wallin’s son, Ero, a dog musher in his own right, also spoke of his disappointment in the cancellation but realized that his job as the trainer must continue.

“Yeah, it’s a bummer,” Wallin said. “You know, I’ve said it a couple of times. It’s a bummer that there’s no race, but you keep training and keep running no matter what. They love to run, and you roll with the punches.”

He said four or five of his best dogs are in their prime racing age of 5 or 6. So losing the year of competition may mean they will lose a step or two next year.  But he says he will keep training the dogs the same way and hope for the best.