Beargrease Members are VITAL to helping us achieve our Mission Statement. We rely on support from many places, but Members have a voice and receive valuable entitlements. It is because of the support of Members like YOU that Beargrease is truly a premier long-distance sled dog race.
*Additional entitlements available for higher levels of membership
The first checkpoint on the Beargrease Trail, the community of Two Harbors played a pivotal role in the life and legacy of John Beargrese. Because trains only went as far north as Two Harbors, it was necessary for the mail to be carried by other means. John Beargrease carried mail by dogsled, horse or boat from Two Harbors to Grand Marais for 20 years. Two Harbors Members receive all base entitlements.
40 miles up the North Shore from Two Harbors lies Finland, MN. This area was settled by Finnish immigrants in the 1880’s during the time that John Beargrease was delivering mail on the North Shore. Finland serves as the second checkpoint on the Beargrease Trail and the point in the race where marathon race strategies can begin to take shape. Finland Family Members receive base entitlements plus:
Beaver Bay lies on the shores of Lake Superior and is the location where John Beargrease’s father settled to work in a local Sawmill. In 1858, the same year that Minnesota officially became the 32nd state admitted to the Union, John Beargrease himself was born in Beaver Bay. John Beargrease passed away in Beaver Bay in 1910 and his gravesite can be seen to this day in the Old Chippewa Indian Cemetery located there. Beaver Bay Mile Sponsor Members receive base entitlements, plus:
The Gateway to the Gunflint Trail and two Beargrease checkpoints, (Trail Center and Skyport) Grand Marais was a frequent destination for John Beargrease’s mail deliveries. It is said that he could make one trip per week between Two Harbors and Grand Marais with a mail delivery. Grand Marais Sustaining Members receive base entitlements, plus:
Electronic Mile Marker Certificate
One of John Beargrease’s mail delivery destinations, Grand Portage is the home of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, one of the earliest Ojibwe settlements in Minnesota. Grand Portage Lodge & Casino has many times been the finish line of the 300 mile John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, making it a coveted destination for sled dogs and their mushers from around the world. Grand Portage Lifetime Members receive base entitlements, plus:
*Please note, all Beaver Bay Mile Sponsor Club Memberships are due by January 10, 2023 in order for us to process them in time for the race.
If you would rather pay by check, please download our brochure form, print it, and mail it to us with a check.
Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
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