Photo: Boreal Community Media files

By Brittany North - Boreal Community Media - January 29, 2026

Ryan Anderson of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, finished the 2026 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon as both a finisher and champion, marking a historic milestone in the race’s history. Wearing bib number 20, Anderson completed the demanding 300-mile course on Tuesday afternoon, crossing the finish line just before 4:30 p.m. at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. He was only 2 minutes and 27 seconds ahead of second-place finisher and last year's winner, Erin Aili. 

A lifelong musher from a family deeply rooted in sled dog racing, Anderson relied on decades of experience and a strong, well-conditioned team to secure the win. Cold single-digit daytime temperatures and below-zero nighttime lows created excellent racing conditions, allowing the dogs to perform at their best. Anderson’s team finished happy, healthy, and strong.

This victory marks Anderson’s fifth Beargrease win, making him the first musher in the event’s history to reach that milestone. The race began Sunday, January 25, with Anderson finishing late Tuesday afternoon after nearly three days on the trail.

Cook County local Erin Altemus scratched from the race at Trail Center after encountering difficult team dynamics. While she reported several strong early runs, she shared that continuing was no longer enjoyable for her or the dogs. Altemus credited lead dogs Georgia and Oreo for stepping up when needed and said the race offered valuable lessons moving forward.

Another Cook County local, Anna Hennessy, finished in seventh place and earned Rookie of the Year honors. Racing a slow and steady strategy in bitterly cold conditions, Hennessy focused on consistency and dog care throughout the course. Her team performed strongly, with rookie dog Iorek delivering an impressive first race alongside experienced teammates.

See the full list of winners here.