(dogs barking) (gentle orchestral music) - [Musher] Ready?

Yep, Yep (gentle orchestral music continues) Great job, guys.

(dog barks) (gentle orchestral music continues) - [Musher] Huh (gentle orchestral music continues) Huh.

Gee.

(gentle orchestral music continues) (gentle orchestral music continues) (Almanac North opening music) - This Sunday marks the start of our region's premier winter event, the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

The longest sled dog marathon in the lower 48 states begins Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Billy's Bar on West Tischer Road and finishes 300 miles later in Grand Portage.

This year's field is packed with experienced mushers and features several past winners.

Well, it all started as a way to commemorate the legendary mail carrier John Beargrease.

Since that beginning in 1980, the Beargrease has grown into the premier sled dog race series in North America and it's right here in our backyard.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) - [Radio Host] It's time now for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon trail report on The North 103.3 on the Gunflint Trail.

There are a few races being run, of course the full marathon with 17 teams, and then there's the Beargrease 120, and the Junior Beargrease 120, and the Beargrease 40 as well.

So there's a short distance, a mid distance, and a full distance.

Up to 60 teams, actually, are prepared to run this year.

So how this is gonna work is, of course, they've got checkpoints throughout the next few days.

They've got some required rest at certain points.

When they get up to Sawbill, in the middle of the night now, early, early, Monday morning, there's a mandatory four-hour layover.

At that point, they'll make up this two-minute differential that they all have.

So the first person to leave shall have to rest for 32 additional minutes above the four hour.

The final racer, when they come in, will not have to rest any more than four hours.

That way the differential is made up.

At that point, then, they're all even as far as the timings go.

From then on, it's all about who gets there first.

There's another rest point at Mineral Center, which is the last checkpoint, probably sometime early Tuesday morning.

That checkpoint will again have a four-hour required rest.

Outside of those eight hours of required rest, they do, of course, rest at every checkpoint as much as they need to.

It's all about pacing those dogs and taking care of those dogs to make sure that they are staying as healthy as possible.

We'll have more, of course, here on The North 103.3.

(dogs barking) - [Elena] Which one are you doing?

(gentle music) (dogs barking) - [Elena] Ready?

Yep, yep.

I need to grab my snow hook.

Whoa, Zach.

Okay, ready?

(wind rustling) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) - [Morgan] Everybody!

(gentle music continues) - [Morgan] Good dogs.

Yes, good dogs.

(dogs barking) (gentle music) (dogs barking) (dogs barking) Jazz, you ready?

Jazz, Jazz, huh.

(dogs barking) Huh.

(gentle music) Yeah.

Erwin.

(dogs barking) Gee!

They don't see many visitors.

(phone ringing) (pensive music) (gentle music) - Our team here at PBS North has been hitting the trails with local mushers as they train for this weekend's festivities.

Producer Megan McGarvey traveled up the North Shore to catch up with Jennifer Freking and her team.

- [Megan] This year your daughter is also running in the Beargrease 40.

- Mmhmm.

- [Megan] So how does it feel to have that kind of family continuation of mushing and whatnot?

- It's wild.

It's really fun, yeah, to see her connecting with the team and get out on a trail.

It'll be her first time to see a segment of the Beargrease trail and, yeah, I know she'll have a great time.

Most of the time in a Beargrease, often Blake and I running together, so I love running the trail with Blake.

And I guess sometime down the trail I'll be running that trail with Elena, so that's wild to think about.

(gentle music) (people chattering) (dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) - [Vet] Did you have a little scuffle with somebody?

- Well, yeah we did.

- Okay, and everything's okay?

- But they're all right.

- Okay.

- Hi, you.

Hello.

Hello.

(people chattering) - Yeah, we're just trying to organize something.

(dogs barking) (dogs barking) (people chattering) (people chattering continues) - Congratulations running the 40.

Where's Clare?

Where's your partner?

- [Elena] Over there.

- Oh, Neo, yes.

Neo, she's two as well.

(people chattering) - Hi, how are you?

- Good.

How about you?

- Good.

Which are you racing?

- The 120.

- It's Radar.

He's three years old.

Intact male.

(people chattering) (gentle music) She is four.

Intact female.

- How you doing?

- We're good.

I had an injury about a month... No, not even.

Three weeks ago now.

- When you were running?

- Yeah, I was on crutches for three days.

- Just a sprain?

- I didn't do an MRI.

I went down to Twin Cities Orthopedic and they said, basically, it's an MCL tear and it's the same recovery whether it's a level one or a level four.

It's just ice- - So you're doing the marathon on that?

- Yeah.

Ice, elevate, and Advil.

- Geez.

- So I missed one run.

- Lots of Advil.

- I missed one run.

- Wow.

- I ended up hooking 'em to the snowmobile and using that just for safety.

And then, so.

- Yeah.

Well, be safe.

(people chattering) (gentle music) - Hi.

- I'm Ryan Anderson.

We're doing this together.

- Together?

Okay.

- I probably won't be first or last.

- How many dogs do you run?

- 13.

- How many do you run?

Two?

(gentle music) (dogs barking) - I can check one of them.

- Yeah.

(rhythmic drum music) (people chanting in Ojibwe) (people chanting in Ojibwe continues) (people chanting in Ojibwe continues) (people chanting in Ojibwe continues) (tires rumbling) (dogs barking) (gentle music) (car alarm beeping) (dogs barking) (gentle music continues) (dogs barking) - Because they have to have a picture of a famous person.

- Hi.

(musher laughing) - Here's the one.

- There we go.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) - Do you have an knife?

- What's that?

- Oh, we don't need the...

I don't know, they haven't given us anything, so.

- Cable cutter?

- Yep.

Do you have it?

- I have it.

- Okay.

Mailbag, we don't need.

First aid kit, do you have that?

- Mmhmm.

- Okay.

Matches, do you have that?

- I think that's in the bag.

- Yeah, set of booties for each dog.

That's what I'm looking at.

Or does it count if- - I don't think we need- - As long as they're on the dogs.

- Well, I think it's mandatory because unless they come off.

- Okay.

Okay.

- When we put the race back together, reconstituted in 2013, I thought, you know what?

We need something like the Iditarod is doing.

And so like- - Nope, that's smart.

- I just called around and found out who was doing the Iditarod's trackers.

And so the same guy who does theirs does these.

- [Clare] Oh, really?

- Yeah, he's out of North Carolina.

- [Clare] That's smart.

I mean, it really is helpful.

- It is.

- It's smart.

- It's the greatest way the public engages with the race.

A small fraction of them are here to see it, but all kinds of people watch from their living room and click Refresh, Refresh, Refresh.

- You have the most beautiful dogs.

- I do.

- Almost as beautiful as mine.

- They look kind of similar to yours.

- No, they're more.

- No, I don't think so.

- Yes.

Uh-uh.

You can't have that thing.

- Cable cutter's in there?

- Yep.

- Knife?

- It's in here somewhere.

- All right, I think I see it.

I see it.

I see a couple of them, I think.

- And I'll have to grab my headlamp.

- All right, why don't you do that?

- We missing something?

- Her headlamp.

- Ah, all right, yep.

- Here's my headlamp.

- That looks good.

All right, well, you have a good race.

- Thank you.

- Have fun.

- Yep.

- Are we good?

(dogs barking) - How you doing, Elena?

- Good.

- When you're done with Gabby, I'll put her jacket on.

- Okay.

(dogs barking) - Okay, can I put the little hood on?

- No, not right now.

- You can do it by yourself?

- Yeah.

Well, actually, you'll need to put it under my rough, my rough in the back.

- I get to do something at least.

(Elena giggles) I got to be useful for something.

All right.

- Oh, yeah.

Okay, I'll be right.

(people chattering) (dogs barking) - [Announcer] Start is coming up at 10 o'clock this morning.

First checkpoint is Highway 2, just outside of Two Harbors.

First musher should be there about 12 noon this afternoon, then Finland at 5 p.m. this afternoon and evening, Sawbill early tomorrow morning, under the cover of darkness, and just before 3:30.

Finishing at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

I can tell you that the racecourse is in great condition.

And the times, because of the cold, for the dogs- (dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) (dogs barking continues) - [Morgan] When do I go?

(gentle music) (engine rumbling) - [Elena] Ready?

(dogs barking) (people chattering) (dogs barking) - Live, Olivia.

Olivia, love you.

Love you.

- Blake!

Blake.

(dogs barking) Ready, ready?

(gentle orchestral music continues) - [Announcer] Ryan Anderson from St. Croix Wisconsin.

Welcome number 7 to the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

(dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) Some of the greatest in racing are here today.

And Ryan Anderson representing Jamie Nelson, one our early pull-outs of the race.

The four-time champion will have a decision quarter, but it's up to you.

And we're going in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

And there he goes, Ryan Anderson.

(crowd cheering) (snow whooshing) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (people chattering) He's been pushing for the past 10 years.

(crowd cheering) (dogs barking) The Beargrease Trail!

Go catch your mom, go catch your mom.

Get catch your mom.

(crowd cheering) If you do catch your mom, you can stay out late Saturday night.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) - Hey.

- Good luck.

Keep it going.

(snow whooshing) (gentle music continues) - Team, team.

- [Ryan] Haw, haw, haw, haw.

Gee.

- You can understand.

- Okay, yeah.

- A couple of these?

- Yeah, at least.

- Thank you.

All right, you keep going.

We're right behind you.

- [Ryan] You guys ready?

(phone ringing) (gentle music) - Go ahead.

- [Morgan] Stop right here?

- [Elena] On by, guys.

On by, guys.

On by.

- [Musher] I can't pull her.

I can't quite pull her.

- Hey, ready.

Guys.

- I'm very cross.

- Guys.

- I'm so sorry.

- [Elena] That's okay.

- I am so, so sorry.

- No, that's fine.

- [Musher] On by, let's go.

(snow whooshing) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) - [Elena] You to try to just follow me.

(dogs barking) Ready?

(dogs barking) (snow whooshing) (dogs barking) - What happened?

- It's stuck.

This thing is supposed to through this loop and I was gonna just clip it on here, so then reins- - Yeah.

Oh, you want me to help pull your team back?

There's a team coming up behind us.

- I just want to loop it.

- We'll pull this sled over?

- Well, can you put it- - Yeah.

Here, let's hold onto our sleds.

Let's let this team pass and then let's... How about that?

(dogs barking) We'd have to come and put it on her headlamp.

- [Elena] Okay.

(dogs barking) (dogs barking) - We're all done.

(dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) - [Elena] Let's go.

Yeah, ready?

Ready?

Yep, yep, yep, yep.

(uplifting music) (crowd cheering) On by.

(uplifting music continues) (crowd cheering) (uplifting music continues) - Thank you for helping.

- Oh, you bet.

(dogs barking) - How was it?

- It was okay.

It was good.

- Straight ahead.

- And now there's snowmobiles coming.

(snowmobile humming) Ready?

Yep, yep.

Good job, guys.

(snow whooshing) (snowmobile humming) (crowd cheering) - Team.

- This way.

- Team.

- This way.

(crowd cheering) (crowd cheering) - Elena Freking!

(crowd cheering) - Way to go, Elena!

Woo!

(dogs barking) - Easy, easy.

(dogs barking) (wind rustling) (dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) (dogs barking continues) - Ready.

(crowd cheering) (dogs barking) Hey, hey, hey.

Max, Max, Max, Max.

Max.

- Well, good job.

(uplifting music) (dogs barking) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (dogs barking) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) - You're 103?

- Yep.

- Okay.

Eight dogs?

- Yep.

- Nice.

Third one down.

(dogs barking) Now I have your time, you're ready to go.

- [Talia] Okay, I'm good.

Team.

(dogs barking) All right, ready?

Here we go.

- Good luck.

- Thank you.

Bye.

(uplifting music) (uplifting music continues) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) - [Ryan] Straight ahead.

Straight ahead.

Haw.

Haw.

Straight ahead.

(gentle music continues) (engine rumbling) (gentle music continues) (crowd cheering) (gentle music continues) - [Radio Host] It's time now for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon trail report on The North 103.3.

- [Host] In the full marathon, Ryan Anderson's team is holding the lead on what appears to be a very fast course.

A few miles behind are the teams led by Keith Aili and Nick Vigilante.

There is still plenty of race left, so it's too soon to make any predictions.

All 17 teams of the full distance John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon are still on the course.

We'll have an update to see how things have changed.

That's right here on The North 103.3.

(gentle music) - [Ryan] Apparently.

- Is that fish, Ryan?

- Yeah, yeah.

- [Ryan] Lake Michigan fish from my sister.

- Oh, nice.

I'll get you some that, too.

- It's salmon.

(gentle music continues) So Sturgeon is the only one that hasn't eaten anything.

Golden hasn't really eaten much.

- He'll eat that kibble bowl once he- - I think once he settles in a bit.

How long have you guys been here for?

Long?

- I don't know when we got here.

- Oh, okay.

How long are you in for?

Quite a while yet?

- Yeah.

- Is it possible we can park our second vehicle right here for now?

And then when you're ready to go, we'll get out of here?

- Yeah.

- Is that okay?

- Who are you with?

- Jessie Terry.

- On the lamp?

- Oh, sure.

- Yeah, yeah.

I mean, I just need, when I leave- - Oh, no, we'll get the heck out of the way.

Absolutely.

- Yeah.

(snow whooshing) - [Talia] Come on, Sockeye.

She does not want to lead.

All right.

We will fix it.

Okay, good dogs, good dogs.

All right, Sockeye.

I see that you are being passive and that's okay.

It's okay.

You don't wanna lead, that's okay.

We'll try this, Duo.

Do you wanna try this, Duo?

(chuckles) Look, Duo, I know you're tired.

Sid, get up, please.

All right.

No, no, no, no.

All right, here we go.

Hey.

He won't bite you.

Good boy.

Yes, I gotta put this light on you.

Sid, Sid, come on.

Okay, I'm gonna put you next to... Look at what you do.

Okay.

There you go.

(sighs) That's not gonna work.

Come on, Strike.

Come on, buddy, come on, Sid.

Come on, Sid.

Come on, Strike.

No, Strike.

Uh-uh.

(dog barking) Good boy, yes.

Here, Sid.

Here we go.

There we go.

Great, come on, Strike.

Good boy.

All right, let's try this again.

Good dogs.

Ready?

Ready?

Here we go.

Here we go.

All right.

Nice.

Cool.

Good dogs.

(people chattering) (gentle music) - Nice work, Morgan.

(snow whooshing) (gentle music continues) - Sorry.

You know what?

- Looks good.

- Mmhmm.

- They seem all right?

We can get through, though.

- All right, pass it to me.

- Come here, boy.

Good boy.

(Morgan sighs) Any second now.

Average.

9.5, not bad.

(snow whooshing) ♪ Do, do, do, do, do ♪ - That's it.

(Talia sighs) (dogs barking) Sorry.

Sorry.

(chuckles) (dogs barking) Ready?

(sighs) Guys.

Sid.

(dogs barking) Get up, come on.

Come on, Pepper.

Yes, yes.

Good.

Yeah, there you go.

There you go.

Sid.

There you go.

Uh-uh.

Get up, come on.

Come on, come on, come on.

(dogs barking) Sid, here.

Come on, Strike.

(dogs barking) Good boy.

You're doing so good.

Yes.

Ah, good dogs.

Good dogs.

Good girlies.

(dogs barking) Ready?

Here we go.

103.

On by.

Thank you.

- Well, I'm leaving at 1:46 a.m., so.

And I'll finish three, hopefully, before five.

That's what I'm shooting for.

(people chattering) (dogs barking) (snow whooshing) (gentle music) (engine humming) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music) (people chattering) (gentle music continues) - Hey, fatties, you gonna eat that all?

Huh?

(wrapper rustling) (dogs barking) What's that?

- [Musher] Did you leave before or after Keith?

- Before.

Why?

- [Musher] I'm just curious, that's all.

- He hadn't even bootied by the time I left, I don't think.

(gentle music continues) (wrapper rustling) - [Musher] Hey, Ryan, did you walk down to get water?

- No.

- You did that with Snow?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

(chuckles) - It's a long walk.

- [Musher] I know.

I can't believe that.

I wish they would've told us that they weren't gonna have it.

- The snow has a little pine needle taste to it.

It's like a good gin and tonic.

(gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) - The orange?

- Yes.

56, 10.

(uplifting music) (dogs barking) (sled clanking) (snow whooshing) (snow whooshing) - How are you?

- Not bad.

(dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) (dogs barking continues) (suspenseful music) - [Ryan] Ready?

(suspenseful music continues) (suspenseful music continues) (gentle music) - And all the mushers agreed today's race was a very fast one.

They pointed to the cold weather, which is good for the dogs, and trails packed down almost like sidewalks.

Meanwhile, we introduced you to 16-year-old Morgan Martens last week as he finished his last training runs.

Well, this morning the Brule team crossed the mid-distance finish line just before 5:30.

It not only earned him the junior championship title, but a fifth place finish overall.

Running on only about an hour's sleep, Morgan told us it felt like a solid race.

- It was very cold and a very hilly race, as always, but nonetheless fun, and great learning experience for me and the dogs.

- Has your sister finished yet?

- No, she's still out there.

(heartfelt music) (heartfelt music continues) (heartfelt music continues) - And this year's Junior Beargrease champion, Morgan Martens.

(crowd cheering) (gentle music) - All right.

- Why didn't you stand up?

- Why didn't I stand up?

- Yeah, when your name was called.

- Because I wasn't being given anything.

But- - But still.

Beargrease, yeah.

- Yeah.

- Why didn't you stand up?

- I don't know.

- He's standing up now.

- Mmhmm.

(group laughing) - They're everywhere, the Martens.

They're everywhere.

All right.

(gentle music continues) (engines humming) - Hey, guys.

(uplifting music) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) - [Radio Host] And speaking of Ryan, he is the front runner right now, correct?

He got on into the Trail Center first.

- [John] He is, yes.

He's the front runner and he's the defending champion, and he's also holds the record for four times winning the marathon, which is tied with Nathan Schroeder and Jamie Nelson for the most times.

(wind rustling) (snow crunching) (snow crunching) (tool clinking) (snow crunching) (sled scraping) (sled rustling) (sled rustling continues) - Okay.

(snow crunching) (snow thudding) (snow crunching) - Ryan, are you good?

- No, I gotta do this form and then- - Yeah.

So what we do is Margo, nine, and write it there.

- Yeah, this should be it.

(snow crunching) (door creaking) - [John] He also won the 120.

He won the junior race.

He won the 100 when he was a young dog musher before he started on the marathon.

And so he's won basically all the races.

And right now he looks in really good position to continue that record of his.

- [Radio Host] And it looks like some people were within about half an hour of him or something when they came in.

How does that look for other people having a chance to catch up with him?

- [John] Well, I mean, there's always a chance.

People can pass right up into the last run of the day.

And if you look from Trail Center to Skyport, it's about 60 miles.

- [Ryan] You guys ready?

Ready?

- [John] And then it's another 45 miles or so to Mineral Center, and then another 30 miles.

So 130 miles to go, anything could really happen.

(uplifting music) (uplifting music continues) (gentle music) (people chattering) (dogs barking) (dogs barking continues) (uplifting music) - [Ryan] Musky, musky, ready?

Ready?

(uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (wind rustling) Haw.

- Over the hill.

- Thank you.

Good boy.

Gee, haw.

Come here, haw.

Come here, haw.

Come here.

Gee, haw.

Haw.

Haw.

(sled clanking) (snow scraping) Gee.

Gee.

Except for the bottom of the hill part.

- [Musher] Yeah.

(chuckles) - [Ryan] Thank you.

(rhythmic music) - [Musher] That's the finish line.

- Right here.

- Any time after the nose- - [Ryan] Gee, gee, gee, gee, gee, gee!

(crowd cheering) - Here, here, here, here!

- Gee, gee, gee, gee, gee!

- Over here.

- Come on, guys.

Come on, guys.

Come on, come on.

(people chattering) (rhythmic music continues) - No, no!

- It's okay.

It's okay.

- Just go, just go.

- Just go.

- Go, go, go, go.

- Let's go.

- Go, go, go.

- Go, go, go, go.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (wind rustling) (snow scraping) (people chattering) (fire crackling) - What do you think?

Where are we supposed to stop?

- Where do they go?

- Go down on the ice?

- That far?

- I'll sign it.

(stern music) - Ready mush?

- You're gone.

(dogs barking) (people chattering) - Ready?

- Are you gone, or?

- No, in a little bit.

- Right.

- Ready?

Haw, all right, go.

Haw, haw, haw, haw, haw, haw.

(dogs barking) You ready?

All right, go ahead.

Good girl.

(stern music continues) (snow scraping) Gee.

(stern music) (snow scraping) - Must be close, eh?

- Must be close.

- Come on, buddy.

- Ready?

- Hey, Rudolph.

- Haw, haw.

- Hey, Rudolph, good job, buddy.

(suspenseful music) (crowd cheering) - [Ryan] Straight ahead, straight ahead, straight ahead.

Gabe, ready?

Right there, huh?

- Good job, Ryan.

See the dog in the bag?

He's 75 pounds.

- Yeah, I could watch the tracker.

(Ryan chuckles) - [Official] I knew something was up.

- Do you need a veterinary?

- I could have everybody look at this dog and tell me what's wrong with it.

- Great, we're only happy to.

- Yeah, I have no idea- - Just one?

(people chattering) - I hope we're no trouble.

- Oh, they're no trouble.

- Oh, you notice it?

- It doesn't matter either.

I just, honestly, I know the dog is sore somewhere.

I don't know if it's back.

I don't if it's rear end.

I don't know if it's front end.

I don't know.

- Okay, yep, okay.

I think it's right rear.

- Okay.

But I don't know if it's up in here.

- Sure.

I'd love to know because we had the same thing last week.

Not at a race, but just doing some training.

- Okay.

And that's why he didn't race last year.

- He didn't race at all?

- No.

- Okay.

- That's why he came, because he's made it through this year until now because of the same thing.

- Okay.

Good boy.

- [Vet] What have you seen on the trail?

- well, he starts out kind of stiff and then after about a half hour he just motors.

- Okay.

- Like nothing's wrong.

- [Vet] Then he stiffens up again?

- What's that?

- Then he stiffens up again?

- [Ryan] No, no, no, no, no, no.

He didn't even loosen out of it today.

- [Vet] Okay.

Oh, he started out stiff and never loosened out?

- [Ryan] Yeah, he never loosened out of it.

(people chattering) I'm not taking him.

There's absolutely no way he will.

I'm not giving him a ride.

- Yeah.

(chuckles) - Box right there.

- The hot water is there.

(people chattering) - Yeah.

- I sure wish we were... My hands were on this one, though.

- Hi, how are ya?

- Good.

(wind rustling) (wind rustling) (gentle music) (crowd cheering) (dogs barking) - [Keith] Ready?

All right.

(crowd cheering) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) - [Official] You got five.

- What do you think, Gable?

You got three hours left in you?

You good?

(dogs whimpering) (people chattering) (snow crunching) (dog barking) - 10, 9, 8, 7- - Musky.

- 6, 5- - You ready?

- 4, 3, 2, 1, go.

- Musky, ready?

Haw.

- Go, Ryan.

- [Ryan] Haw, haw.

Gable, Gable, haw.

(whistles) Haw.

Hey, hey, haw.

Gable.

Gable, haw.

(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) Now, Musky, ready?

Haw.

(whistles) Haw.

Gee, haw.

(Ryan whistles) Haw, haw, haw.

Good girl.

Haw, Musky.

(snow scraping) (suspenseful music) Ready?

Gable, ready?

Haw.

Good girl, Gable.

That's it.

Yeah.

Good girl.

- [John] the leaders are about a dozen miles away right now from the finish line here at Grand Portage Casino.

So it's pretty exciting because Keith Aili and Ryan Anderson have been running neck-and-neck for all night and all day.

And they've traded leads at least once, not twice.

And they've known each other for 20-plus years and raced against each other for all these years.

And so here we are coming down to the last dozen miles.

We'll find out, with Keith in the lead by half a mile at the moment.

- [Radio Host] Just half a mile now, wow.

(gentle orchestral music) (gentle orchestral music continues) - [Ryan] Straight ahead, straight ahead.

Haw.

That's it, haw.

(people chattering) (gentle orchestral music continues) - Your four minutes late!

(crowd cheering) - Good job, good job.

- Woo!

- [Onlooker] Go, Keith.

- [Ryan] (whistles) Gee, haw.

(crowd cheering) (crowd cheering continues) - Go, Ryan.

- Congratulations, Ryan.

- Go see them Ryan.

(people chattering) - You did it, girl.

- Hey, good job, guys.

- Great job.

- Boyo.

You did a good job.

(people chattering) (people chattering) - Congratulations.

- Thank you very much.

- Oh, right here.

- And then we'll just do a quick batch.

- I gotta get a few things out of your bag.

Thank you, sir.

Congratulations.

- Good job, Ryan.

- Yeah.

- [Ryan] It was a long, tough... - How's your knee?

- It's sore because I had to load that dog and actually pull.

- Oh, you did?

- What do you- - Come here.

- Booties.

- Yeah.

- Good pup.

- How much is it?

(people chattering) (people laughing) (uplifting music) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (uplifting music continues) (people chattering) - [Ryan] I thought I wanted an 18 pack- - They don't have 18 so you got two 12s.

(laughs) - Nice job, Keith.

- Thanks so much.

- Wow.

- You don't have to hide it.

Did you see the dog I had to carry for 3 1/2 half hours.

- How do I get your number?

- Do you have a pen?

- Mineral Center?

- I can write it down for you?

- [Keith] You did?

I didn't know that.

- Yeah, right after you passed me.

- [Keith] He couldn't warm up?

Oh, that would've changed things.

(uplifting music) - [John] It's pretty exciting because Keith Aili and Ryan Anderson have been running neck-and-neck all night and all day.

They've traded leads at least once, not twice.

And that's just how it goes.

- [Radio Host] Well, thank you so much for your work with us this year, John.

It's always a pleasure.

Congratulations to Keith Aili.

Thanks for listening.

(uplifting music) ♪ Oh, whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, whoa, oh, ♪ whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, whoa, oh, ♪ whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Whoa, oh, whoa, oh, oh, oh ♪ (dogs barking) - Ready, ready?

- [Announcer] The sled dog marathon.

(dogs barking) Three, two, one.

And there he goes, Ryan Anderson.

(crowd cheering) (orchestral music) (logo whooshing)