DULUTH — While a lack of snow has caused the postponement of the 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, as well as the “Cub Run” that was scheduled for Saturday in Two Harbors, the spirit of sled dog racing warmed the hearts of dozens of kids — and some of their parents — at the Duluth Children’s Museum during an event called Sled Dog Story Time.
“Kids love dogs,” said Judas Bardon, a musher and educator who lives north of Duluth. “They have such a pull to animals that anytime I can come and do an event with animals, it's always good energy and lots of smiles.”
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“Most sled dogs love kids as well,” said Marcia Eiynck, race coordinator with the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, as well as a musher who lives in Sturgeon Lake. “It's just a good mix to show the kids the dogs, tell them about the race and a really good way to talk about the history a little bit and get the kids involved.”
Original plans for the event, which started at 10:30 a.m. and wrapped up around 11:30 a.m., included time outside. But with temperatures barely above zero Saturday, everything was held inside instead as kids cycled into the Learning Lab over the course of three sessions, getting a chance to see photos and equipment, hear about mushing, listen to a story and of course, pet the dogs.
Bardon, who is also a volunteer and board member with the Beargrease, brought along their husky, Cohen, while Eiynck was joined by her husky Bella. Both Bardon and Eiynck have raced in Beargrease 40 events.
"Sled dogs are near and dear to my heart, so I'm always happy to bring them out in the community and do things with them," said Bardon.
Eiynck is a descendant of John Beargrease. Her grandmother, who turns 93 in March, is Beargrease’s granddaughter, which makes Eiynck Beargrease's great-great-granddaughter. During Saturday’s event, Eiynck read a book titled “Fearless John” to the children.
“I don't know if anyone could tell but I got a little choked up a little bit reading the part where he passes away and things like that,” Eiynck said. “We've always had family involved in the race, and reading the book is just another way that our family stays involved with John Beargrease and making sure that his spirit is kept alive no matter what the event we're doing and that the culture is honored as well.”
Siena Matteson, 5, of Superior, enjoyed the event so much she stayed for all three sessions and would have liked to take the dogs home with her.
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“She would if she could,” joked her mother Jessica Lupien.
Jamey MacDonald, 6, was visiting the area from Thief River Falls with his family and enjoyed every second.
“I like the dogs and I like to sled,” said MacDonald.
Perhaps in the audience of wide-eyed kids Saturday are future members of the next generation of mushing?
“I hope so,” said Bardon. “I do a lot of visits to schools and youth groups and, when I was a kid in fourth grade, I had mushers come to my school, and here I am, so it could be a great introduction to the sport and the gateway to mushing."
As for the current generation of mushing, hopes are high that the 40th running of the Beargrease will happen. Originally planned to begin Sunday, Jan. 26, it has been postponed to Sunday, March 2. A lack of snow last winter led to the cancellation of the 2024 Beargrease. Organizers are optimistic that it'll be different for 2025, but it is just a matter of if weather conditions cooperate between now and then.
“It's full steam ahead,” said Eiynck. “Everyone's really getting excited so I mean we do need a little bit more snow but the farther north you go, the more snow there is so we're, we're pretty hopeful at this point that we will be ‘a go’ on March 2.”
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“We're trying to figure out as we go because it is hard to predict the weather and realize that people need to plan for it.” said Bardon. “But ultimately, our biggest concern is the safety of the dogs and the safety of mushers. We never want to put them out on the trail if we feel like they're not going to be safe.”
No make-up date has been announced as of yet for the Cub Run. For more details on the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, including pre-race events and updates, visit beargrease.com.
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