2024 Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race postponed

The 2024 Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race was scheduled to be held on January 6. Due to the lack of snow and warm temperatures, the race’s board of directors decided to postpone the race.

Located along the Gunflint Trail in Cook County, the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog race is a continuous race with two legs of equal distance that are separated by a mandatory layover. This year will have a 65-mile, 10-dog race format.

In order for the trail to be in a condition that allows these races, there needs to be at least a foot and a half of snow. There is also a four-mile stretch across Poplar Lake, so there needs to be thick enough ice throughout the lake to hold the dog sled teams.

The board of directors will be providing updates weekly to the Gunflint Mail Run website and hope to announce the rescheduled date in early January.

Around 50-70 volunteers are needed for the competition, and 15 teams are expected to compete this year.

The 2023 Gunflint Mail Run had several mushers scratch due to a water hole that opened on the trail. The race format was different with a longer 12-dog race and a shorter 8-dog race. The race was shortened for the 12-dog race due to trail conditions. In that race, Matt Schmidt won and Ryan Redington placed second. In the 8-dog race, Erin Altemus placed first and Ashley Thaemert placed second.