Lack of snow delays Beargrease race

Associated Press

DULUTH - A lack of snow prompted the organizers of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon to delay the race until Feb. 25, according to an announcement on the race website posted Thursday.

There isn't much snow on the 140-mile route from Duluth to the Gunflint Trail. On Monday, organizers said they couldn't groom the trails, which had icy areas with rocks and grass showing through.

The 25th annual race had been scheduled to begin Jan. 28.

Organizers have said this year's race has attracted a strong lineup of sponsors, its largest field of racing teams and $40,000 in prize money.

The delay could cause a time crunch for some racers who are scheduled to participate in other races in early March. The famous Iditarod starts March 3 in Alaska, and the Can-Am 250-mile race begins March 1 in Maine. Many Beargrease mushers are also registered for those races.

Organizers said a gala dinner with speaker Libby Riddles, an author and musher, would go on Jan. 26 as planned.

ASSOCIATED PRESS