Beargrease will move to March

The 40th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, originally scheduled for later this month along the North Shore of Lake Superior, has been postponed until March because of unsafe trail conditions.

Race officials say that assessments of the 300-mile trail, which stretches from just north of Duluth to Grand Portage, found insufficient snow and icy terrain that creates hazardous conditions for mushers and their sled dogs.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Mike Keyport, president of the marathon board.

The Beargrease had been scheduled for Jan. 28. It will now be held on March 2. The race was canceled last year due to lack of snow.