MARQUETTE -- For the past 23 years, the city of Marquette has been home to the Upper Peninsula (UP) sled dog races, and Al Hardman started competing in the UP 200 21 years ago.
"It's a funny sport. It's a lot of work. It's my health program I guess. I like to do it because it keeps me outside, and I don't mind the cold. I don't know, you know, sometimes I think I'm crazy doing it," said Al Hardman, musher.
This year's race started in downtown Marquette as hundreds of spectators stood along the starting line, waiting for mushers and their sled dogs to go by.
Lacey Retaskie said the UP 200 is a family tradition.
"We have a lot of great memories coming down here when we were young, and I want to instill those in him. He loves dogs, he loves everything about it, and I really want to teach him the great opportunities he has here in the U.P.," said Lacey Retaskie, spectator.
With over 60 mushers competing in three separate races, a total of 350 miles of trail will be covered.
First place winner of the UP 200 will go home with $7,200.
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