Warm temperatures and a dwindling snowpack have forced organizers of this year’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northeast Minnesota to move the starting location.

The 40th running of the race begins Sunday at 11:05 a.m. — with the start now north of Two Harbors, instead of near Duluth.

The starting point can be accessed by driving County Highway 2 north from Two Harbors to the North Shore State Trail, at Township Road 24.

Race organizers said in a statement Tuesday that there’s almost no snow left at the traditional starting line and that moving the race start will ensure a safer trail for mushers and their teams.

“Weather always plays a role in sled dog racing, and unfortunately, the recent warm temperatures have made conditions at our original start line unsuitable for the race,” said Mike Keyport, president of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

It won’t be the first time that the Beargrease has started from the location north of Two Harbors. The race has previously started in that alternate location, at what’s usually the first checkpoint in the race to Grand Portage. There is more snow farther up the North Shore.

This year’s race was already postponed from late January due to poor snow conditions earlier in the winter.

The changes come after last year’s Beargrease race was canceled due to lack of snow.

Collected from Minnesota Public Radio News. View original source here.