John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Seeking 2026 Volunteers

January means winter here in the Northland but with that comes one of the coolest events ever: the famous John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. It's iconic in its own right and it's just a few weeks away.

The big attraction takes place on January 25th. It will be the 41st running of the marathon, which is a pretty big accomplishment. They aren't far off from fifty years!

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If you are a huge fan of the event, why not become a part of it in a really fun and important way? The huge event needs volunteers and there are still a ton of options open.

It would be a few day commitment but you'd get memories to last a lifetime. This is one of the coolest events in Duluth. Here's what to know.

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John Beargrease Marathon Seeking Volunteers This Month

Volunteers are needed from Saturday, January 24th through the 28th. There are so many volunteer opportunities to choose from and truly something for everyone. Roles include helping set up the race, assisting dog handling, working checkpoints and more.

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There are also roles needed in road crossings, merch booths and more. The ideal volunteer is someone who loves dogs (of course!) and can handle being outside in typical winter temperatures no matter the time of day.

How To Become A Volunteer For The Beargrease This Month

If this is up your alley, you can sign up right now and browse the different positions on the official Beargrease website. There are a few things to note, including the fact that volunteers must be at least sixteen years old. However, younger volunteers may be allowed to participate with parental permission in some cases.

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Other requirements include being in good physical condition and at least 18 years old if you are volunteering as a dog handler. Volunteers cannot drink while volunteering, and volunteers should take this commitment seriously and plan to be available as planned.

Life happens but this is a pretty big event, so if you commit to volunteering, you must do everything in your power to make it happen. Volunteers are a huge piece of the puzzle here!

If you can't make it as a volunteer later this month but still want to be a part of this event, have no fear! The event does need volunteers every month of the year in a bunch of different roles including marketing, social media and more.

I've watched this event a few times over the years and it's truly incredible - whether spectator or volunteer. How lucky we are to have so many cool events in Duluth!

Twin Ports Area Calendar Of Annual Events

There's never a lack of things to do around the Northland! Here is a rundown of some of the biggest annual events. Note that many of these events change dates from year to year, so be sure to click on the link for any event you're interested in for the most current information.

Gallery Credit: Lauren Wells

Nine Items You're Banned from Mailing Wisconsin

Heading to the Post Office? You'll want to have this list handy - there's a bunch of things that you're banned from mailing in Wisconsin, per the USPS.

Gallery Credit: Lauren Wells