MINNESOTA's TOUGHEST TRADITION
To run 300 miles through the Sawtooth Mountains — in subzero temps, lake-effect snow, and endless night — takes something deeper than strength. It takes Beargrease.
Presented by our Generous Sponsors
congratulations to our 2026 winners
beargrease marathon champion
Ryan Anderson
BG 120 champ
sean dewolski
BG 40 Champ
Danny edmondson
Congratulations to our junior BG 120 finishers
Maddoux Erickson
Morgan Martens, Jr.
VIP Beargrease Experience
Get closer to the action than ever before!
VIP PARKING - $25
Park at DBS Solutions
Skip the shuttle lines and park just steps from the start area. This convenient, reserved parking option puts you close to the excitement so you can spend less time walking and more time experiencing Beargrease.
Why Go VIP?
✓ Unmatched proximity to the dogs and mushers
✓ Behind-the-scenes energy you can’t get from the crowd
✓ Limited availability for an intimate, unforgettable experience
This is Beargrease from the inside.
Add VIP access at checkout. Spots are limited.
All proceeds will go to support our canine athletes.
VIP Start Line or Staging Chute Access – $25
Secure your spot inside the action.
Choose one exclusive VIP experience:
Starting Chute Access – Stand right next to the sled dogs as teams prepare to launch. Hear the dogs, feel the energy, and watch the handlers and mushers up close as the race begins.
Staging Chute Access – Be inside the staging chute as the mushers lead their dogs to prepare for the start. Bring your ear protection - the howls are on high! energy is
These limited-access experiences place you feet from the dogs, the mushers, and the handlers, giving you an insider’s view of what makes Beargrease so electric.
Only the Toughest Make It to Grand Portage
The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon traces the same rugged trail once traveled by Ojibwe mail carrier John Beargrease, who delivered mail along Lake Superior’s North Shore in the late 1800s. Today, mushers from across the continent test themselves against that same terrain — honoring a man, a culture, and a tradition carved into Minnesota’s history.
Where Lake Superior Decides Who Finishes
The Beargrease isn’t a sprint — it’s a survival course. Teams battle blizzards, frozen swamps, and 40-mph winds off Lake Superior. Each checkpoint along the trail tells a story of courage, exhaustion, and unmatched endurance.
Fuel the Race. Power the Tradition.
Every dollar keeps the Beargrease alive — from the straw that warms and cushions our tired athletes to the veterinary teams that keep them healthy.
Level
$25
$50
$100
$100
+ Trailblazer Gift
Your Impact
Provides two bales of straw for checkpoint rest stops
Sponsors one mile of the official trail
Supplies critical vet equipment for canine care
Support the race and receive an exclusive Beargrease custom merchandise piece
Own a Piece of the Trail
From Two Harbors to Grand Portage, every checkpoint membership tells a story. Join the network of people who believe Minnesota’s toughest tradition deserves to endure.
$50/Year
Two Harbors Member
The first checkpoint — where the race begins.
$100/Year
Finland Family Member
Where strategy and stamina meet.
$20/Month
Grand Marais Sustaining Member
Support the trail all year long
Our Sponsors Keep the Dogs Running
From local businesses to national partners, our sponsors help carry the legacy forward. Support the race that defines Minnesota winter.
Swing Dog Sponsors
Team Dog Sponsors
Wheel Dog Sponsors
Trail mail
Trail Mail is a cherished Beargrease tradition that lets you send a one-of-a-kind letter straight up the race trail. You purchase a Trail Mail envelope, write your message, and our mushers and their dog teams carry it along the historic Beargrease route — just like mail once traveled along Minnesota’s North Shore. When it reaches the end of the trail, your letter is delivered to your loved one as a true piece of race history. Kids especially love sending Trail Mail to grandparents, friends, or even receiving a surprise note themselves. It’s meaningful, memorable, and a fun way to be part of the Beargrease story.
Trail mail
Trail Mail is a cherished Beargrease tradition that lets you send a one-of-a-kind letter straight up the race trail. You purchase a Trail Mail envelope, write your message, and our mushers and their dog teams carry it along the historic Beargrease route — just like mail once traveled along Minnesota’s North Shore. When it reaches the end of the trail, your letter is delivered to your loved one as a true piece of race history. Kids especially love sending Trail Mail to grandparents, friends, or even receiving a surprise note themselves. It’s meaningful, memorable, and a fun way to be part of the Beargrease story.
Only the Toughest Make It to Grand Portage
The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon traces the same rugged trail once traveled by Ojibwe mail carrier John Beargrease, who delivered mail along Lake Superior’s North Shore in the late 1800s.
Today, mushers from across the continent test themselves against that same terrain — honoring a man, a culture, and a tradition carved into Minnesota’s history