UP200 Sled Dog Races are Off and Running

The 23rd annual Sled Dog Races started downtown Friday. For the first time since it started in 1990 – the UP 200 race did not start downtown.

Instead 31 midnight run teams took their turn in the spotlight for a ceremonial start.

And despite the changes to the course thousands of people still crowded the streets of downtown Marquette to experience the one of a kind event. Each winter the event draws in newcomers but for many one time is all it takes before being hooked.

Midnight Run mushers began their official start in Chatham at 10:00 pm. The UP 200 racers also took off from Chatham earlier tonight at about 8 o’clock. And the Jack Pine 30 will start tomorrow morning at 9:30 in Gwinn.