Grand Marais and Tofte mushers take second and third in Beargrease 120
Jan 26, 2026 11:52AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Boreal Community Media files
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 26, 2026
The 41st running of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon kicked off on Sunday, January 26, in Duluth. While those in the marathon are still on the trails, the 120-mile racers began crossing the finish line at Trestle Inn in Finland, MN, this morning.
Sean de Wolski is the first-place winner in this year's 120-mile Beargrease Sled Dog Race, finishing with a time of 13:38:17. De Wolski is from Fairbanks, Alaska, and runs a kennel called Bouncing Bumbles with 11 dogs. According to his bio on the Beargrease website, de Wolski enjoys "hiking, brewery visits, disc golf, and sleeping on the couch as well as the variety of adventures we do on sleds, bikes, and skis."
Joanna Oberg placed second, with a time of 14:31:38. Oberg is from Grand Marais and won the race in 2023. In her bio on the Beargrease website, she said, "Been racing dogs for quite a few years now but had to sell out my own kennel due to extenuating circumstances this last spring sadly," before adding, "thankful to my friend and fellow competitor for many years Rita Wehseler who bought some dogs from us and offered to let me run a 2nd team for her this year!!!"
Speaking of Wehseler, who has won the race in 2022 and 2025, the Tofte resident placed third with a time of 14:54:01. Wehseler owns Stoney Creek Kennels and has 36 dogs. Rita was the first-place winner of the Gunflint Mail Run in 2025.
23 mushers signed up for the 120-mile race, with three scratching, including Melissa Mendelson and Scott Edgett. At the time of this posting, two mushers were still racing, including Kirk Weber and Monroe Mondor.
To see the full list of mushers and their finish times, visit the Beargrease website here: https://beargrease.com/2026-timing-sheets-beargrease-120/
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - January 26, 2026
The 41st running of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon kicked off on Sunday, January 26, in Duluth. While those in the marathon are still on the trails, the 120-mile racers began crossing the finish line at Trestle Inn in Finland, MN, this morning.
Sean de Wolski is the first-place winner in this year's 120-mile Beargrease Sled Dog Race, finishing with a time of 13:38:17. De Wolski is from Fairbanks, Alaska, and runs a kennel called Bouncing Bumbles with 11 dogs. According to his bio on the Beargrease website, de Wolski enjoys "hiking, brewery visits, disc golf, and sleeping on the couch as well as the variety of adventures we do on sleds, bikes, and skis."
Joanna Oberg placed second, with a time of 14:31:38. Oberg is from Grand Marais and won the race in 2023. In her bio on the Beargrease website, she said, "Been racing dogs for quite a few years now but had to sell out my own kennel due to extenuating circumstances this last spring sadly," before adding, "thankful to my friend and fellow competitor for many years Rita Wehseler who bought some dogs from us and offered to let me run a 2nd team for her this year!!!"
Speaking of Wehseler, who has won the race in 2022 and 2025, the Tofte resident placed third with a time of 14:54:01. Wehseler owns Stoney Creek Kennels and has 36 dogs. Rita was the first-place winner of the Gunflint Mail Run in 2025.
23 mushers signed up for the 120-mile race, with three scratching, including Melissa Mendelson and Scott Edgett. At the time of this posting, two mushers were still racing, including Kirk Weber and Monroe Mondor.
To see the full list of mushers and their finish times, visit the Beargrease website here: https://beargrease.com/2026-timing-sheets-beargrease-120/
