General Information for Mushers
Thank you for competing in the U.P. 200/Midnight Run Sled Dog Races. The information below will help to make your race experience easier. Maximum number of entrants for the U.P. 200 is limited to 40, and the limit for the Midnight Run is 40 teams. For suggestions on lodging in and around the Marquette area, see http://www.marquettecountry.org/accommodations.php#marquette.
The UPSDA and Jack Pine Mushers Association would like to extend an invitation to all mushers to participate in the U.P. 200, Midnight Run and Jack Pine 30 Sled Dog Races.
Special efforts have been made to give high visibility to the U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship and Midnight Run; however, ensuring the safety and care of the animals and maintaining the positive spirit of competition are a priority. In the interest of fair competition, the UPSDA and Jack Pine Mushers will make every effort to provide the best possible volunteer support for the competitors, and the Race Marshall will use his or her best judgment to correct any human errors that are verifiable and correctable. It should be noted that in all situations race officials will attempt to follow the spirit of the rule, rather than the letter of the law, understanding that the race is to be awarded on merit and not on technicality.
Since 2004, all U.P. 200 entrants may use the race as an Iditarod qualifyer with no additional requirements above and beyond the standard U.P. 200 rules.
U.P. 200 Qualification Guidelines: To enter the U.P. 200, mushers are required to have finished the Midnight Run or other equivalent sixty (60) mile continuous running race within the past three seasons. Previous U.P. 200/Midnight Run entrants have met this requirement. ____________________________________________________
Layover Time: The U.P. 200 has SIXTEEN hours of total layover time plus the required starting differential time; the sixteen hours can be used at any of the checkpoints. The Midnight Run has a mandatory FIVE hour layover plus the team's start differential time based on starting position.
U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship
The U.P. 200 is a competitive, 12 dog, mid-distance sled dog race. Now entering its 20th anniversary, (always on the third weekend of February), the race will start on February 19th, 2010. The race is approximately 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for the Iditarod. A maximum limit of 40 mushers will be registered for this race.
Over 15,000 visitors come to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to see the U.P. 200! It is a favorite winter event for local residents and out of town guests. The U.P. 200 has a dedicated group of over 500 volunteers from the U.P. and the mid-west region that come together to stage this great event each year.
Start/Finish of the U.P. 200: Marquette, Michigan Marquette Michigan hosts the start and finish of the U.P. 200; the city holds numerous events all weekend including Kiddy Mutt Races, Snow Sculptures, and more! Come see the start and finish of the race, and enjoy what this "Queen City of the North" has to offer!
From Marquette, the trail will wind in a northeasterly direction through the town of Deerton, traveling on to the first checkpoint.
Checkpoint 1 = Wetmore (at the Best Western)
This will be an "unassisted" checkpoint when mushers are moving toward Grand Marais. For more information about this area, see the Alger Chamber of Commerce website, the City of Munising, the Munising Visitors' Bureau or the Explore Munising websites. The mushers are required to prepare the dogs' food and water, as well as arrange their bedding with little to no assistance.
There are several reasons for an unassisted checkpoint. It makes strategy very important, and provides a distinct challenge for the mushers. Further, since the U.P. 200 is a qualifying race for Iditarod, an unassisted checkpoint is a very good experience for the musher who strives to compete in a distance race.
In the history of sled dog racing, the unassisted checkpoint brings back into focus the time honored tradition of the musher and his/her dogs alone on the trail. Mushing has evolved into an exciting sport which may eventually become an Olympic event. For fans, the unassisted checkpoint allows a glimpse into the unique relationship shared between musher and dog team.
Checkpoint 2 = Grand Marais
Since 2003 the race has been routed through this picturesque town on the bay of Lake Superior. This is the halfway point of the race, and many veterans say this is where the race is won...or lost. Each musher's strategy becomes public at this point in the race.
Checkpoint 3 = Wetmore Mushers return from Grand Marais in an eastward direction back to Wetmore's assisted checkpoint.
Dog Drop Location = Deerton Deerton has traditionally served as a checkpoint for the U.P. 200. This location now serves as a possible dog drop if the musher feels one of his team members needs to sit out the final leg of the race.
Finish = Marquette On Sunday afternoon or evening the mushers finish the long race by going through the finish chute at the Lower Harbor in Marquette. Mushers appreciate the fans who come out to cheer their finish, and they appreciate the race being over.
The Midnight Run
The Midnight Run is an eight dog race. This race is typically a much faster race than the longer distance U.P. 200, due to the distance involved. This race has become one of the most popular races for the Upper Peninsula's sled dog racing weekend, primarily due to the fine field of competitors it routinely draws.
The Midnight Run begins with its starting chute in Gwinn. The first musher will leave the chute at 6:00 p.m. on February 19th, 2010 over a trail of approximately 91 miles.
Mushers and teams will proceed over Marquette Mountain, under US 41 at the Carp River Bridge, then swinging on to Harvey with a checkpoint in Deerton, MI. There will be a mandatory layover there.
Racers will then go from Deerton to the finish line in the downtown of Munising/Wetmore where it should end around a spectator friendly time of 9:00 or 10:00 AM on February 21st. A banquet will be held after the race tentatively scheduled at 4:00 pm on Saturday, February 20th. For more information about this area, see the Alger Chamber of Commerce website, the City of Munising, the Munising Visitors' Bureau or the Explore Munising websites.
