And they're off! John Beargrease sled dog race carries on despite pandemic

DULUTH – Ashlyn Tomberlin sat in a folding chair plopped in a snowbank while she waited for the quiet sound of sled runners.

"I'm just excited to see the dogs," said Tomberlin, 15, whose family had been counting down the days until the 37th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

After almost a year of canceled events and missed traditions due to COVID-19, participants and fans relished in the outdoors Sunday as the longest sled dog race in the Lower 48 states kicked off. Mushers missed the thousands of fans who usually see them off, but they were mostly just glad that the race was happening.

https://www.startribune.com/and-they-re-off-john-beargrease-sled-dog-race-carries-on-despite-pandemic/600017463/