Photos submitted by Marcia Eiynck

Exclusive to Boreal Community Media - January 27, 2021

History will definitely be in the making this weekend at the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon race, as the first descendant of John Beargrease will be participating in the Beargrease 40 race.  Marcia Eiynck is the great, great-granddaughter of the late John Beargrease and has been working hard and preparing for this moment to happen.  This race, which starts in Duluth and ends in Grand Portage, is one of the longest and most challenging sled dog races in the lower 48 states.  The race begins on January 31 and ends on February 3.

Marcia and her husband live in Hovland, Minnesota.  Marcia works as the Director of Nutrition at the Oshki Ogimaag Charter School in Grand Portage.  She is originally from Duquette, Minnesota.  She just started training with Doodledog Kennels a year and a half ago and stated that she is very grateful for their dedication of time, talent, doggies, and equipment to support her passion and training.  At the age of 45, Marcia proves that it’s never too late in life to follow your dreams.  Marcia credits her handler, best friend and husband, Jason, as being her rock who supports every single one of her adventures.

Marcia graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Field Biology in 2015 and worked with biology for two years.  Her husband built her a cabin with his own hands and that she lived in.  Jason would come spend weekends here with her in Cook County.  After two years of living and working here, an unexpected family emergency led to a move back to their farm in Amery, Wisconsin.  Like so many find out after leaving the area, there’s no place like home and they returned in 2019 to where they now live off-grid in their home lake home on Tom Lake.  Marcia said that one of her favorite things about being out with her sled dogs is being amongst nature. 

Although spectators are not allowed at any of the Beargrease events this year due to COVID restrictions, the event can be watched followed by clicking here.  No matter what the outcome of Marcia’s race, her great, great-grandfather would surely be proud of her accomplishments in both this race and her life.

To learn more about the life of John Beargrease this race, follow this link:

https://beargrease.com/about-john-beargrease/