2019 Upcoming Events
Castle Danger Pint Nights! | Wednesday’s in January
Castle Danger Brewing, Two Harbors. $1.00 of every pint purchased will be donated to the Beargrease!
7 West Taphouse Tap Takeover | January 24, 2019
5:00 pm 7 West Taphouse Tap Takeover – Miller Hill Mall, Duluth. Both Bent Paddle and Castle Danger have donated a keg of which ALL the proceeds will go to the Beargrease, so stop in all month to support it! On the 24th from 5-8 we will have members of the Beargrease board here to chat, a live t-shirt print so you can buy event exclusive shirts, and much more! Visit our Facebook page for further updates.
KQDS Mini Sled Dog Races | January 25, 2019
7:00 am KQDS Mini Sled Dog Races, Canal Park Brewing Co, Duluth
YES – it’s early…but we’ll have coffee! And the best part? CPB opens their doors so we can be toasty warm in between races!
BrewSheen By Beargrease! | January 25, 2019
We have partnered up with Glensheen and Canal Park Brewing for our annual BrewSheen! This event will take place at the premiere House Museum in Minnesota and we’ll enjoy culinary creations and craft-brewed-beer from Canal Park Brewing. (Basically-we just wanted an excuse to kick-off Beargrease Weekend with an EPIC party). Join us for food, tours and of course…beer & bonfires:
$40, advanced registration required. Includes tour of the historic mansion. 5:30 pm.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Vet Checks | January 26, 2019
Vet Checks for teams at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN. Starting at 8:00 AM.
Cutest Puppy Contest | January 26, 2019
Cutest Puppy Contest, Fitger’s, Duluth. Get your official Beargrease Merchandise and find out who the cutest puppy in the northland will be.
John Beargrase Sled Dog Marathon Photo Exhibit Open House| January 26, 2019
The Beargrase Art Show opens at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth on January 20, 2019. We invite you to join us on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 2:00- 5:00 pm at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Visit with photographers and view incredible images from the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon from years past. Light refreshments will be served.
Can’t make it Race Weekend? Not to worry – this show runs through March 10!
Social: Cash Bar & Silent Auction | January 26, 2019
Everyone is welcome to Social Hour from 3:30-5:00 at Lake Superior College. Grab a soda or cocktail from the bar and peruse the Silent Auction, all proceeds will support the Beargrease. Many mushers and handlers will be coming in from their Vet Checks, as well as the judges, vet teams, families and friends – it’s a great time to gather and celebrate all things Beargrease!
Plus – get your 50/50 Raffle Tickets! $5.00 per ticket, drawing on February 27 and all proceeds go to the Beargrease!
Opening Ceremonies Dinner | January 26, 2019
Dinner Requires Ticket in Advance of $20
Dinner begins at 5:00, advanced tickets required. Cost is $20 per person. Dinner was generously donated by Blackwoods Proctor.
The Bib Draw and formal program begins after dinner. Held at Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road, Duluth. Park in Lot 1 area. Enter “Building E” and proceed to the Commons Area, second level (follow the signs). Lake Superior College Maps and Parking
Sunday, January 27, 2019 – RACE DAY!!
Billy’s Open for Breakfast| January 27, 2019
7:30 am Billy’s (3502 W. Tischer Road in Duluth, MN. ) We’ll be setting up, but Billy’s Crew can get you hooked up with some great breakfast items, Bloody Mary’s and of course lots of hot coffee. And if you’re bored after breakfast? Help us out 🙂
Meet the Mushers | January 27, 2019
10:00 am Meet the Mushers, Billy’s, Duluth. Be in the middle of the excitement: walk around and meet all of the mushers, see the dogs up close (most people can’t believe how thin they are – but they’re athletes!).
**Gentle Reminder: ALWAYS ask the musher or handlers if it’s ok to pet the dogs prior to approaching them. Some dogs are getting their “game face on” and don’t like to be approached – we can’t blame them – some are preparing to run 300 miles….
Race Start!! | January 27, 2019
12:00 PM Race Start
RACE DAY! We will be starting at Billy’s in Duluth
Billy’s Bar (3502 W. Tischer Rd, Duluth,MN)
Shuttle Buses will be running from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm from
UMD Parking Lot W (Intersection of W. College St. and Junction Ave.) UMD Map
Suggested Shuttle Donation: $5.00 per couple/pair of peeps
10:00 am Bernick’s Pepsi Tap Trailer/Food/Merchandise opens in outdoor tent! Bloody’s, Bent Paddle and Castle Danger on tap! (Beer proceeds to benefit Beargrease!) Food All Day! Traditional Breakfast, Burgers, Brats, Hot Dogs, Chili, and more!
10:00 am Meet the Mushers
12:00 pm Marathon Race Start! Immediately followed by the Beargrease 120 Race Start and Beargrease 40
3:00 pm Food, Fun, Music Continues at Billy’s
4:00 pm Last Shuttle departs from Billy’s to go back to UMD.
The Beargrease is a Free family-friendly event, however, we are a non-profit that relies on donations:
Race Programs: $3.00
50/50 Raffle: $5.00 (cash or check only, per state regulations)
Suggested donation at the Gate: $5.00
Suggested Shuttle Donation: $5.00 per couple/pair
Estimated First Marathon Team at Highway 2 | January 27, 2019
3:30 pm* Estimated First Marathon Team at Highway 2 Checkpoint, Two Harbors
Estimated Finish of Beargrease 40 | January 27, 2019
5:00 pm* Estimated Finish of Beargrease 40, Highway 2, Checkpoint, Two Harbors
Estimated First Marathon Team into the Finland Checkpoint | January 27, 2019
8:30 pm* Estimated first team into the Finland Checkpoint
2:10 a.m. Last team out Monday
Monday, January 28, 2019
Estimated First Marathon Team in to Sawbill | January 28, 2019
3:39 am* Estimated first team in to Sawbill Checkpoint
6:30 pm Estimated last team out on Monday
Estimated Time for Beargrease 120 Finish | January 28, 2019
5:00 am* Estimated Time Beargrease 120 Finish, Lutsen Mountain/Papa Charlie’s
Estimated Time for First Marathon Team into Trail Center | January 28, 2019
12:30 pm * Estimated first team into Trail Center
9:30 am TUESDAY Last team out
Beargrease 120 Banquet | January 28, 2019
3:30 pm Beargrease 120 Banquet, Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen. Tickets are $20 and advanced purchase is requested. Limited tickets available at the door.
Estimated First Marathon Team into Skyport | January 28, 2019
8:30 PM* Estimated first team into Skyport (Devil Track Lake.
5:15 pm TUESDAY Estimated Last team out
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Estimated First Marathon Team into Mineral Center | January 29, 2019
4:30 am* Estimated first team into Mineral Center
9:15 pm Estimated last team out
Estimated Time Marathon Finish | January 29, 2019
12:30 pm* Estimated Time Marathon Finish, Grand Portage Lodge and Casino
Last team in 4:30 am
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Marathon Finishers Awards Banquet | January 30, 2019
Marathon finishers and awards banquet at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, 9:00 AM . Cost is $10, advanced registration required.
Bluefin Bay – Northern Wilds – Voyageur Brewing – Blue Pearl Veterinary – RJ’s Sport & Cycle – KUMD – Visit Cook County – Duluth Veterinary Hospital – Danger Bird Productions – Duluth Visuals – 7West Miller Hill Mall – Zoetis
Midwest Mountaineering – Licari Larsen, Co. – Minnesota Surplus – Caribou Highlands Lodge – Perfect Duluth Day – Kwik Trip – Red Paw – St. Luke’s – JMR Financial – KUMD – Ikonics – Brent’s Biffies – London Road Rental – Racey’s Tasty Dog Biscuits – Cooperative Light & Power Assoc. of Lake County – St. Luke’s – East End Auto – Breeze Inn