U.P. 200 Start Confusion

But weather problems, specifically the lack of snow, has caused a change in the U.P. 200 sled dog race schedule for next weekend.

One day after the announcement of a change to the course, organizers and sponsors say they’re hearing from quite a few people who are confused about the race weekend.

There will still be a ceremonial start next Friday night in downtown Marquette.

The difference is that the Midnight Run teams will be there instead of the U.P. 200 teams.

The start won’t be different for spectators, but it will be for the Midnight Run mushers.

They usually start in Gwinn in front of much smaller crowds.

U.P. Sled Dog Association president Pat Torreano says the race organizers promised the Midnight Run mushers a downtown Marquette start this year and they’re following through on that promise.

The mushers then drive to Chatham for their official start.

The U.P. 200 will also start in Chatham.

But Mining Journal publisher and general manager Jim Reevs says the usual activities in downtown Marquette are still going on, like sales at downtown businesses that will be open late to accomodate the extra visitors.

Second-, third- and fourth-graders from Ishpeming’s Birchview School made this year’s musher bags.

They’re hand–decorated bags that the race supplies for each musher are packed into every year.

Torreano picked up the bags from the school this afternoon so that they can be filled next week.

Posted by: Mike Hoey