Mike Keyport, the Beargrease Board President, was so grateful to be at the finish line of the 40th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

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They would have hit this milestone in 2024, but the race was canceled outright. In 2025, the race was postponed from January to March, and the starting line was moved from Billy’s Bar to a checkpoint in Two Harbors.

“We still had a pretty good group of spectators at that. The mushers were telling me there were  spectators down there a mile and a half at least headed north out of Two Harbors. It was pretty amazing…We like our spectators,” says Keyport.

The Beargrease veterinarian team also works hard to make sure that the dogs are doing okay and are staying safe.

“We have basically been caring for all of the dogs that are involved in the race… from the pre-race  checks all the way until after they cross the finish line, basically until tomorrow morning, they’re under our care,” says head veterinarian Katie Neshek.