UP200
IT’S BEEN A ROUGH DECADE SO FAR for our beloved UP200 Sled Dog Race. Between the effects of Covid 19 and weather unexpected in a U.P. February, the race has seen three cancellations in six years. Yet, with the support of sponsors and the community, the race survives.
Since its inception in 1990, the UP200 has become one of the winter’s must-see events. Tonight’s downtown start is a Marquette ‘happening’ that brings residents and visitors together in a celebration of snow, dogs, and mushers… both amateur and professional.
Race Options
With three separate races… the UP200, the Midnight Run, and the Jack Pine 30, fans have a number of opportunities to join the fun and see the teams in action.
The UP200 organization is a well-oiled machine that will start work on next year’s event moments after the last team crosses the finish line. And then there are the volunteers. It takes hundreds of people to make sure it all runs smoothly, and safely. Having served as a road crossing volunteer several times, I can attest to the satisfaction of being part of a competition that brings joy to so many people.
Sponsor Support
I mentioned the interrupted schedule starting back in 2021 because the truth is, many events which would have experienced such cancellations may not have survived.
Thankfully, big time sponsors have stuck with the race and ensured its continued operation. Currently, NMU heads the list of organizations keeping the sleds greased and the dogs yapping. But for many years, the Mining Journal was the dominant force behind the race.
As the lead sponsor until 2019, the Mining Journal has continued to give the race top billing, like that seen above, with start to finish coverage. Jim Reeves, the Journal’s editor through those early years, made sure the publication put all of its regional influence to work, helping make the event what it continues to be today. “For that reason,” according to UP200 President Ross Anthony, “we will always start in front of the Mining Journal and give out an annual award in their name to a business or organization that has shown significant commitment to the race.”
With NMU taking on the top level Gold Sled sponsorship, we can only hope the weather and other factors allow the race to continue for years… uninterrupted.
City Priorities
If you voted for your neighbor for city commission, thinking their newfound influence will translate into a timely repaving of your street, you’re going to need to think again.
While those who served on the commission some time ago may have wielded that kind of power, such is no longer the case. If you want to know where any municipal project, including those close to your heart or driveway lands on the city’s to-do list, you can find that info on the City of Marquette website.
Now We Know
I became aware of the Capital Improvements Plan and project rankings during last Monday’s City Commission discussion about the proposed Wilson Street multi-use trail.
City Manager Karen Kovacs pointed out where that project fell in the Capital Improvements plan. “Just for context, back in 2025/2026 in the Capital project listing, this ranked 121 out of 125, unfortunately.”
So, how does a project prioritized that far down the list suddenly jump to the top? Must have been a commissioner or two pushing it through, right? Nope.
The bump up the list is due to the availability of grant money that would cover around 80% of the cost. So yes, the commissioners who want to see this happen actually did put their weight behind it. They did so by unanimously approving the city’s application for the grant.
Without the possibility of grant funding, the project would undoubtedly languish near the bottom of the pile, maybe forever. It seems the project ranking is fluid, with different items moving up and down, largely dependent on current conditions.
A Better Way
While you may be disappointed your buddy on the board doesn’t have the pull you thought, you might be glad to know the ranking system is now better aligned with best practices, and shows no favor of familiarity. It’s primarily a function of the city’s Department of Engineering, where utopian wish lists go to die, and the guiding principles are… how necessary, and how much?
To see the entire file of projects on the table, visit the city’s website and go to HOW DO I, then VIEW, then CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN. Or you could just click here. You might want to clear some time.
Friday the 13th
Feeling lucky? Well, you’re not supposed to. Not on Friday the 13th.
According to one source, the origin of this star-crossed day is some kind of Norse myth about a dinner party with 12 guests, where a 13th guest showed up and somebody ended up dead. So the number 13 took the rap. Details are sketchy.
The official term for the affliction is triskaidekaphobia… or, fear of 13. When you combine it with a Friday, it becomes paraskevidekatriaphobia.
How Friday got mixed up in this is somewhat of a mystery. Fridays have generally been pretty popular, but at least once, and as often as three times annually, good luck will be in short supply.
The good news? Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Maybe your luck will improve.