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GRAND MARAIS -- They were greeted by anxious and excited spectators.

After a close to 120-mile mush from Marquette, UP 200 racers crossed the checkpoint in Grand Marais to a cheering crowd.

Although it was all smiles for the arrival of the racers, the mushers did have challenges on the trails.  Long stretches of bare ground and gravel roads took the plastic off the bottom of some runners, and organizers took note.

"They don't feel that it is safe trail conditions from Wetmore back to Marquette,” said Checkpoint Manager, Cathy Egerer.  “They're going to come to Grand Marais; we'll figure out how much rest time they'll need to take, and they've chopped six hours off the required rest time, and then they'll mush back to Wetmore and the race will end there."

During their break in Grand Marais, the racers had a chance to repair their runners and take their sled dogs to the veterinarian.  It was also time for every musher and sled dog to finally get some food and, of course, some sleep!

Although the course was challenging and the race was shortened, the mood was one of celebration at the checkpoint.  Racers understood the changes were made for their safety as well as the safety of their sled dogs.

“I think they made a smart decision,” said musher Frank Moe.  “It's pretty dangerous, and they first and foremost, they want to make sure they protect the safety of the dogs and mushers, so we appreciate that."

And more good news, it was an incredible turnout for the area this year.  Of the 295 people living in Grand Marais during the winter, 130 volunteered their time to assist with the UP 200.