The command center for the U.P. 200 sets up shop
MARQUETTE -- There are more than 1,000 volunteers from Marquette to Grand Marais working on the U.P. 200, and about 20 of them work at the Race Headquarters at the Marquette Holiday Inn.
On Tuesday, they rolled out the plastic floor covers and wired computers and fax machines, prepping Race Headquarters for the 22nd annual U.P. 200.
Headquarters play an integral part in the sled dog races; they maintain constant contact with checkpoints for mushers throughout the U.P.
"The headquarters is really the heartbeat of the entire race," said Pat Torreano, President of the U.P. Sled Dog Association. "It's where all the computer work is done, all the pictures that are sent to the Website is done, all the timing is kept in that place. It's the official part of the race."
And race headquarters isn't just the center of communication for the U.P. 200, it's also the center for community. Starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, they're going to be selling U.P. 200 merchandise and kick off a silent auction.
Boxes of U.P. 200 gear will be up for sale Wednesday through Monday, and if you come before the weekend, you may get to meet a musher, or better yet, his dogs...bunches of fun for crowds of people packing into our town. The Marquette Country Convention and Visitor's Bureau reports that the race draws more visiting spectators than any other community event.
"Our hotels are mostly sold out,” said Pat Black of the MCCVB. “The people that buy the hotel rooms are people that come to Marquette to see the start of the race and to follow the events that go along with it.”
The races kick off this Friday and Saturday night, and the Sled Dog Association recommends getting down to the events early for a great spot if you're lucky enough to be a Yooper and live close by.
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