Over 30 teams vying for all the glory in the 2010 UP 200.
MARQUETTE -- The UP 200...thousands of people lining the streets of this distinctive destination. It's a real sense of community.
"Gets people outside who would otherwise be staying inside," said Landon Stelwagen of Marquette.
The racers got out of the gate hitch free, and they're anxious for the 240 snowy miles ahead of them. Thirty-three teams in all, vying for all the glory. Among them, last year's champion, Eric Morris of Port Wing, Wisconsin. I asked the champ if there's any pressure on him to keep the crown.
"My dogs have something to prove; I have nothing to prove," said Morris.
Conditions at the start were a little slushy, but the trails should improve as teams get closer to Grand Marais.
"They're going to get better actually because it's going to start to cool off a little bit. So the snow that got a little slushy today is going to start to re-harden, refreeze a little bit, so it should get a little faster," explained WLUC Meteorologist, Phil DeCastro.
All the VIPs were sitting right at the start. Among them, Pat Torreano, President of the UP Sled Dog Association.
"We're very excited. Things have gone terribly smoothly. I hate to say that, because you never know what could happen, but it's a great time," said Torreano.
Race fans, if you're following the action, the teams should get to Grand Marais late morning tomorrow, where they'll rest, eat, get checked by the vets and turn around and do it all over again, getting back to Marquette sometime Sunday.
To see some of the sled dogs leave Marquette, click here.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC