Good news for Yoopers and visitors alike: The UP200, Midnight Run and Jack Pine 30 will make their long-awaited return this weekend after a hiatus in 2021 due to COVID-19.

The UP200, a round-trip journey between Marquette and Grand Marais, is the largest of three UPSDA races held over the weekend. It kicks off at 7 tonight on Washington Street in downtown Marquette. The Midnight Run, which begins at 8:30 p.m. Friday on Washington Street, runs to Chatham and back to the Ojibwa Casino in Harvey, with the finish expected on Saturday. The Jack Pine 30 begins and ends in Gwinn on Saturday.

Year after year, these events bring the community together while drawing mushers and visitors from far and wide. These races involve priceless moments for all involved, from the young child who is seeing a team of sled dogs for the first time, to the most seasoned musher.

As we’ve said before, the races epitomize the Upper Peninsula and the spirit of its people. Even when temperatures are far below freezing — or even far below zero degrees — during race weekend, that never stops crowds of people from coming out to show their support for the mushers and the dogs. Countless people will line Washington Street in Marquette tonight for the start of the races, with many other spectators and volunteers lining the more distant parts of the routes to cheer on the teams as they pass.

We commend all of the Upper Peninsula Sled Dog Association organizers and volunteers who made the return of these beloved events possible this year. The annual sled dog races are a fundamental part of a U.P. life, and we’re so grateful to see them return this weekend.

It’s been a long and challenging two years since the last UP200 race weekend last graced the area, but the return of races this weekend marks a great chance to people reconnect with the community during a beloved regional event. There are few better ways to break out of the winter blues than cheering on teams of mushers and sled dogs.

We hope our readers will consider coming out to watch and support the races this weekend, as it’s a great way to show community spirit while breaking out of the midwinter doldrums with some much-needed excitement.

So, bundle up, bring a thermos and head out to watch the races this weekend — the race weekend is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with the community and enjoy an experience that will be remembered for years to come.