The 42nd John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon starts Sunday, Jan 31, 2027, at Northland Country Club in Duluth: meet the mushers at 8 a.m., first team out at 11 a.m., last team gone about 1:30 p.m. Race weekend runs Jan 31 to Feb 2, 2027. Everything below was read on the race’s own website on 2026-10-21.
At a glance
| Detail | What the Beargrease says |
|---|---|
| Dates | Jan 31 to Feb 2, 2027, the 42nd running |
| Start | Sunday, Jan 31, 2027, Northland Country Club, 3901 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN. The organizer notes times and locations are subject to change. |
| Start schedule | 8:00 a.m. Meet the Mushers in the pit. 11:00 a.m. race start: Bib #1, the spirit of John Beargrease, leaves first, and mushers follow every two minutes. Marathon teams leave from 11:02 a.m.; the Beargrease 120 and Beargrease 40 teams follow. The last team is expected to leave Duluth about 1:30 p.m. |
| Races | Beargrease Marathon, Beargrease 120 and Beargrease 40 |
| 2027 route | Start in Duluth, turnaround at the Trail Center checkpoint, finish in Two Harbors. Estimated 330 miles, depending on final start and finish locations. |
| Optional VIP | VIP parking at DBS Solutions $25. VIP start-line or staging-chute access $25 (limited spots; choose one). Proceeds support the dogs. |
| Pets | No pets at any start, finish or checkpoint. Service dogs are welcome. |
| Contact | (218) 461-1834, info@beargrease.com |
What is new for 2027
- Up and Back returns: the marathon starts in Duluth, turns around at the Trail Center checkpoint and finishes in Two Harbors.
- Less rest: the marathon rest requirement drops from 24 hours to 20 to give mushers more strategy options.
- No more “loops to nowhere”: the Mineral Center and King’s Road turnaround loops are gone.
Race-day tips for families
- Arrive for 8 a.m.: Meet the Mushers is a fan favorite. Teams wait in the pit, and you can take photos with a musher or lead dog, get autographs and ask questions.
- Keep your pets home: the organizer asks for no pets at the start, finish or any checkpoint, for the safety of your pet and the racing dogs.
- Stay back from the chutes: the organizer warns that each dog can pull 350 pounds, and a team of 12 is hard to stop. Stay alert near the race chutes.
- Warm up inside: the organizer’s checkpoint page says the country club has breakfast and coffee at the JR Link Grill and Fireside Dining Room, and calls the start a casual event.
- Handicap parking: limited spaces, first come, first served.
- Send Trail Mail: buy a Trail Mail envelope, write a letter, and mushers carry it along the race route to be delivered at the end of the trail.
Getting there and following the race
- The start: Northland Country Club, 3901 E. Superior St., Duluth, on the shore of Lake Superior. The organizer links a Google Maps location on its race-start page. It publishes no drive times from other cities, so we list none.
- Trail Center turnaround: the organizer describes Trail Center Lodge on the Gunflint Trail, about 31 miles from Grand Marais. Dog trucks and teams park on both sides of the road, so drive slowly; parking is along the Gunflint Trail, cell coverage can be spotty or missing, and it suggests filling your gas tank in Grand Marais and watching for moose.
- The finish: the organizer describes the Two Harbors Curling Club as an indoor viewing spot with big screens showing live GPS coverage and the finish line outside the back door.
- Not yet announced for 2027: the 2027 checkpoint list, estimated checkpoint times and trail map (the organizer’s posted versions are from 2026), the finish-line schedule, and 2027 dates for its pre-race events. We check weekly and will update this guide.
Hours, route and fees here are the organizer’s and can change. Earlier editions added a Cutest Puppy Contest at Historic Fitger’s and vet checks and opening ceremonies at Buffalo House in Esko in late January; the organizer has not posted 2027 dates for them.
Frequently asked questions
When is the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in 2027?
Jan 31 to Feb 2, 2027. The race starts Sunday, Jan 31 at 11 a.m. at Northland Country Club in Duluth.
Where does the Beargrease start?
Northland Country Club, 3901 E. Superior St., Duluth, MN. Meet the Mushers begins at 8 a.m.
Where does the 2027 Beargrease finish?
In Two Harbors. The marathon turns around at the Trail Center checkpoint on the Gunflint Trail. The organizer estimates 330 miles, depending on final start and finish locations.
Can I bring my dog to the Beargrease?
No. The organizer allows no pets at any start, finish or checkpoint. Service dogs are welcome.
Does it cost money to watch the Beargrease start?
The pages we read list no spectator admission price. Optional VIP parking and VIP start-line or staging-chute access are $25 each.
What time does the first team leave?
Bib #1 leaves at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan 31, and teams follow every two minutes. The last team is expected to leave about 1:30 p.m.
Sources
- Beargrease race start page, checked 2026-10-21
- Beargrease changes for the 42nd running, checked 2026-10-21
- Beargrease home page (VIP options, Trail Mail), checked 2026-10-21
- Beargrease checkpoint descriptions, checked 2026-10-21
More Duluth and North Shore events: see Duluth & North Shore events, the Bentleyville guide and all Minnesota events. Spot a mistake? Tell us; fixes are logged on our corrections page.
Coming Up Near Duluth
- UMD Bulldogs Football home games (Malosky Stadium)On now through Nov 14 · Duluth
- Glensheen Christmas Tours and Candlelight ToursNov 13 – Jan 3 · Duluth
- Bentleyville Tour of LightsNov 21 – Dec 26 · Duluth
- Christmas City Express (North Shore Scenic Railroad)Nov 27 – Dec 20 · Duluth
Places Nearby
- Glensheen Historic EstateHouse museum · in Duluth
- Lake Superior Railroad MuseumMuseum · in Duluth
Straight-line distance from the centre of Duluth, not driving miles. Events within 40 miles, places within 25. Dates come from our checked events list and may change; confirm with the organizer.
Cite this page: It's Minnesota, “John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2027 Guide”, itsminnesota.com/john-beargrease-sled-dog-marathon/ (updated ). By the It's Minnesota editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.