Sled dog race brings economic boost, sense of community to Gwinn
GWINN -- The dogs are anxious, the trails are groomed and the UP 200 is right around the corner.
The town of Gwinn is the starting point for the race's Midnight Run and Jack Pine 30, and it's prepping for a big race weekend.
"We leave here Friday night, first dog is out of the gate at 6:00. We have eight-dog-teams, and the race is about 93 miles. So we end up in downtown Munising as a finish line," explains Sarah Kimball, Gwinn Event Coordinator.
The event is a big deal in Gwinn, because it means cash-flow for the area businesses.
"The town is thrilled to have it. It brings a lot of business here, we have a lot of spectators coming in, the mushers, all their handlers are coming in here, so it's a boost for the economy here," says Kimball.
Lynn's Korner Kafe is right across the street from the race's starting gate, in a prime location for hungry mushers.
"A lot of them come in for something to eat before they run out. Lots of people come in to the restaurant to get sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, we have all the merchandise for the Midnight Run here at the restaurant," says Linda Tousignant, owner of Lynn's.
Not only do these sled dog races bring outsiders in, but they have a way of bringing the community together.
"The idea that everybody's working together to bring people in to our town, so they know where Gwinn is and the Midnight Run is," says Tousignant.
Friday, February 19 the town will be transformed. All told, Gwinn will welcome around 200 sled dogs on 24 teams, more than 200 spectators and 100 volunteers, all for the start of the 2010 Midnight Run.
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