MARQUETTE -- In preparation for the Midnight Run and UP 200, Public Service Garage opened its doors and started serving chili.

Chili was donated by Wendy's in Marquette, and the mushers poured into Public Service Garage to get a meal that is sure to keep them warm during their cold race on Friday night.

This is the first year that Public Service Garage has held the event, and they feel it's a chance to welcome the mushers to the Marquette area.

"When the event was coming to town, the Midnight Run and UP 200, we said let's embrace it," said Garry Tollefson of Public Service Garage.  "There's a lot of spectators in town. The mushers are really kind of wandering around town, too.  We've got a big parking lot; let's embrace it as a community and invite them into our dealership."

Tollefson also said that they plan to hold this event in future years for the mushers.