Ryan Anderson Wins Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

DULUTH  (AP) -- Ryan Anderson of the northern Minnesota town of Ray has won the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in a neck-and-neck finish.

Anderson and his 11 dogs crossed the finish line in Duluth Wednesday morning just two seconds ahead of defending champ Nathan Schroeder, of Chisholm, and his 10 dogs.

Anderson and Schroeder were side-by-side for much of the final dash.

Mushers say they're pleased with how fast the trail was.

The teams set off Sunday afternoon for the nearly 400-mile trip from Duluth up the North Shore of Lake Superior, up the Gunflint Trail, and back to Duluth. Anderson crossed the finish line shortly before 9:30 a.m.Wednesday with a little under 40 hours of total time on the trail.

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