Despite the last two years where the UP200 was canceled due to uncooperative weather, all indications are that the 2025 UP200 will be going ahead as scheduled.

The UP200 and the two other associated dogsled races are scheduled to get underway Thursday Feb. 13 and will continue throughout the subsequent weekend.

The UP200 itself and The Midnight Run will both be kicking off Feb. 13 with the Jack Pine 30 getting underway that Saturday.

Starting all the way back in February of 1990, the UP200 has been a staple of the Marquette winter scene since its inception, regularly drawing thousands of specators and participants into downtown Marquette to watch the races kick off in front of The Mining Journal building on Washington Street.

Beyond the races themselves, a weekend packed full of activities and parties brings some excitement to downtown Marquette during one of the coldest (usually) times of the year.

Unfortunately, all of the excitement, spectacle and notable guests have been absent from the area over the past two years. Both years having unseasonably warm weather and lack of snow which would have created conditions that were too dangerous for the dogs and their mushers to hold the event.

“Sled dog races across the Midwest have been canceled this winter due to lack of snow and warm temperatures. That being the case, we were even more determined to hold our races for mushers and the community, but the current conditions have made the choice for us. Safety is our top priority and given the lack of snow and the warm temperatures, we cannot offer a safe race. We will make the best of a difficult situation however,” UP200 president Darlene Walch said about last year’s cancellation.

As it stands, the current winter has created excellent conditions for dogsled races, with other races in the U.P., including the Copper Dog 150 in Calumet going ahead as planned.

We encourage you to start making a plan to come visit downtown Marquette for one of the most exciting and family friendly events on the local calendar each year.

The sights, sounds and beautiful dogs will be worth braving the cold temperatures for and all of Marquette’s shops, dining establishments and watering holes will be there to take the edge off.

For more information, visit www.up200.org.