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DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Mushers and teams in the longest sled dog race in the contiguous United States have hit the trail.
The 300-mile John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon kicked off Sunday morning from Billy’s Bar in Duluth. The teams are headed to Grand Portage in far northeastern Minnesota.
There are three other races for shorter distances, including the Junior Beargrease 120 for young mushers.
This year’s race marked the return of spectators along the trail. They were not allowed to cheer them on last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Scenes from this morning’s start. #Beargrease2022 #wcco pic.twitter.com/hmQQhknvuh
— John Lauritsen (@JDLauritsen) January 30, 2022
The 38th running should wrap up by Tuesday afternoon, depending on snow conditions. Rules require teams to rest for at least 24 hours along the way.
The Beargrease is a qualifier for the Iditarod, the premier race for mushers, in Alaska in March.
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