|
|
Article: DOGGED Pursuit; Beargrease mushers challenge elements, selves.(SPORTS)
- Article from:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
- Article date:
- January 24, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Star Tribune Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Mushers in the 500-mile John Beargrease sled-dog marathon glide over the frozen North Shore State Trail, weaving through the tamarack, birch and pine of the Superior National Forest. From Duluth to Grand Marais and back, the trail crosses 62 rivers and streams each way as its steep hills and sometimes harsh winter conditions make the mushers work as hard as the dogs.
The quiet solitude of the wilderness race draws many mushers, most of whom train their own dogs. "It's a great feeling to watch the dogs you worked with and trained, working their hearts out for you and loving every minute of it," said Mark Black of Duluth, whose lead dogs are named Tag and Butthead. ...