UP 200 mushers gather for awards
The UP 200 finished up last night despite blizzard conditions for most of the race. Mushers and team members gathered this morning to share stories of the trail and collect their prizes. Mushers gathered for more than just food and good company earlier today.
A cash prize of $7,200 was handed out to the first place finisher, Ryan Anderson, who finished with a total run time of about 26 hours and 12 minutes. The second place finisher, Laura Neese, rode away with $5,200 for a time of about 26 hours and 36 minutes. The weather did not make it easy on the dogs and mushers, but all 14 teams who started the race, were able to complete it.
“We’ve had a wonderful race. Wonderfully hard conditions, but that’s what trains the mushers for bigger races,” said Pat Torreano, President U.P. Sled Dog Association
The UP200 trail covers 240 miles and takes mushers from Marquette to Grand Marais and back again. It is one of the top 12–dog mid–distance races in the Midwest and is a qualifier for the Iditarod race, which is 1000 miles long.
All fourteen teams were awarded some sort prize today and look forward to another successful race next year.