DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - Organizers say the recent drop in temperatures has tempered concerns that unseasonably warm winter weather would leave enough snow for the John Beargrease sled dog race in Minnesota.

Reports say the race began Sunday morning and is expected to wrap up Wednesday.

The trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior is being tested by a dozen experienced marathon racers and another 16 mushers for the mid-distance race. The race's Facebook page says the mid-distance race finished Monday with Martha Schouweiler in first place.

The first Beargrease race was in 1980. The race is named for an Ojibwe musher who delivered mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais by sled dog from 1879 to 1899.

It attracts top mushers from Alaska and Canada who are competing this year for $35,000.

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