John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon underway, winners of 2 races declared

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The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is underway in northern Minnesota, and winners have already been declared in two of the three races.

The event started Sunday morning at Billy’s Bar in Duluth, with all three versions of the race – a 40-mile, 120-mile, and 300-mile – starting together.

Hundreds of fans came together to cheer on the dogs and mushers along the route.

The 120-mile race wrapped up early Monday morning, just before 4 a.m. Rita Wehseler of Tofte, Minnesota took home first place. Affiliate WDIO Television in Duluth reports Wehesler was followed by Michael Bestgen of St. Cloud and Joanna Oberg of Grand Marais.

Meanwhile, the 40-mile race ended Sunday afternoon in Two Harbors, with Ashley Thaemert from Tower, Minnesota winning the event.

The 300-mile race is expected to finish sometime around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Grand Portage.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the event.