The 37th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon began without spectators as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
1/Erin Letzring’s lead dogs set the pace early in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on Sunday. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews. com) free card
2/Bailey Vitello of Milan, New Hampshire, starts the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on Sunday. Vitello is running the marathon with his father Gregg as a qualifier for the 2023 Iditarod, which they hope to run together. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews. com) free card
3/Ryan Miller's lead dogs come into view as they climb a small hill Sunday, Jan. 31, during the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
4/Ace goes up on his hind legs seeking attention from Beargrease 120 musher Dusty Klaven before the start of the race Sunday. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews. com) free card
5/Handler Leah Nelson (left) gives some love to sled dog Fonzie while handler Cam Halverson dances with Dolly Parton on Sunday, Jan. 31, before the start of the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
6/Meghan Morrow puts a bootie on one of Ryan Redington’s dogs before the start of the Beargrease marathon Sunday. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com) free card
7/Sled dogs of Silver Creek Sled Dogs peek out of their trailer Sunday, Jan. 31, before the start of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
8/Three of Beargrease 120 musher Alex LaPlante’s dogs poke their noses out of their dog box. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com) free card
9/Musher Nick Vigilante is seen through fresh snow Sunday, Jan. 31, during the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
10/With the help of handlers and a four-wheeler to control her excited dogs Beargrease 120 musher Joanna Oberg leads her team on West Tischer Road to the race’s start line Sunday. Rather than starting at Billy’s Bar as in the past, this year’s race began nearby where a snowmobile trail crosses West Tischer. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com) free card
11/Musher Alex LaPlante gives some well-deserved pets to Royal or Roy for short after preparing his paws for the Beargrease 120 on Sunday, Jan. 31, in Duluth. Roy was overwhelmed by the crowd last year; LaPlante said he should thrive this year without so many people around. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
12/Lisa Boulay, a handler for Beargrease 120 racer Frank Moe, wears a facemask bearing the image of her dog Lola. “She has passed on and crossed over the rainbow bridge but she is immortalized,” Boulay said. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com) free card
13/Ty Longstreet runs alongside his dogs to help them up a hill Sunday, Jan. 31, during the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
14/Musher Alex LaPlante prepares Roy's paws Sunday, Jan. 31, before the start of the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
15/Alex LaPlante during the Beargrease 120 on Sunday, Jan. 31, in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
16/Run Silent Racing dogs react to passerby as musher Joanna Oberg and her team (right) prepare for the Beargrease 120 on Sunday, Jan. 31, in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
17/Musher Andrea DeBoer waves to a photographer Sunday, Jan. 31, during the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
18/Sled dogs of Maple Ridge Kennel poke their noses out of their trailer Sunday, Jan. 31, before the start of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
19/Ashley Thaemert is seen through the trees Sunday, Jan. 31, during the Beargrease 120 in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com) free
