UP200 volunteers Rob Hemmer, left and Benjamin Platt help set up a temporary stage on Washington Street in downtown Marquette ahead of the races on Friday. (Journal photo by Jessica Potila)

MARQUETTE — With just hours to go before the first dog team was set to take off from the UP200 starting line, volunteers scurried about Friday afternoon to put the finishing touches at the race staging area on downtown Marquette’s Washington Street.

The roadway, packed with snow and turned into a temporary dog sled trail, was cordoned off by wooden barriers to keep fans safe and allow for a smooth start to the 228-mile journey on which the mushers and their dogs would soon embark.

Volunteer Benjamin Platt, a science teacher at Gwinn Middle/High School, described why he has helped out at UP200 for about eight years.

“It’s a uniquely Yooper experience and I love the energy of the dogs,” he said.

Platt helped other volunteers erect an archway over the race starting line and run cables to the stage.

“Everybody here is working really hard to get this stuff done,” Platt said. “It’s all gotten pretty good and efficient over the years.”

Rob Hemmer traveled from his home in the Cheboygan area near the Straits of Mackinac to help out at the UP200.

“I’ve handled and worked with dogs my whole life,” Hemmer said.

He has volunteered at all but three UP200 races where he pulls snow hooks to keep excited dogs from taking off before their turns.

“Basically it’s a big two-pronged hook. It’s a very sharp hook. Some mushers call them ice hooks because they try to dig them in and spear them into the ice if they’re on a lake surface. They’re great when they hold, but when they pop loose they’re as bad as a fish hook flying through the air,” Hemmer said.

Hemmer, who owns a camp in Champion, also helped install a podium on Friday.

“I love this area and have a lot of friends locally. (The UP200) is a great opportunity to spend some time up here,” he said. “Plus I love winter. Cold and nasty has never been a problem for me.”