The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon commemorates the life of John Beargrease, the son of a Chippewa chief who delivered mail by dog sled along Lake Superior’s rugged North Shore in the late 19th century. John Beargrease’s weekly deliveries along the North Shore played a pivotal role providing a lifeline for communities and commerce.

The Beargrease is the longest and most challenging of sled dog events in the lower 48 states and is a qualifying race for Alaska’s long distance Iditarod.