The mushers are in Marquette, and they're ready and excited for the UP 200 and the Midnight Run Friday
MARQUETTE -- "We're not sure what the trail is going to look like," said UP 200 musher Kevin Malikowski.
That was the question on every musher's mind--how will the trails look Friday?
Thursday evening at the Sled Dog Banquet in Marquette, mushers listened carefully to a trail update that didn't sound too good--exposed gravel and moist conditions.
"I think if you go out of Marquette and you watch them up toward the Welcome Center, they're running on gravel and they understand that,” said Pat Torreano, President of the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association. “And we're doing the best to keep them as safe as we possibly can."
But organizers are hoping that with the colder weather and light snow predicted for Friday, the trails will improve before the first dog leaves the chute.
And warmer weather isn't the only challenge; low attendance is also a factor in this year's races. There will only be 40 mushers total racing in the UP 200 and the Midnight Run combined.
Some organizers say a down economy has had the biggest impact.
“The economic impact around the country is affecting them,” Torreano said. “We know of some people who say that hopefully they'll be here next year from Massachusetts, but right now, it is the times."
Organizers also want to remind all spectators not to bring their pets to the races for the safety of their own pets, the mushers, and the sled dogs.
Click here to see the starting order for the 2011 UP 200
Click here for the starting order of the 2011 Midnight Run
Click here for the list of the 2011 Jack Pine 30 participants
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