A “non-mushy” Mush for a Cure

One day later and we could have had a slushy, mushy, Mush for a Cure but Mother Nature was on our side and the temperature and lake conditions were absolutely perfect. Yesterday the high temperature was 40 degrees on the Gunflint Trail and today it’s up to 50 degrees but on Saturday the high was 24 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Not too warm for the dogs and mushers and just warm enough for the spectators.

The 2014 Mush for a Cure sled dog FUNdraiser was a complete success thanks to the hard working individuals that came together to put on an amazing event.  The sponsors, prize contributors, volunteers, businesses, spectators, mushers and of course the dogs deserve a huge THANK YOU for their support of the event.

Friday night’s Pink Zombie Party and Bald, Brave and Beautiful Contest was amazing.  Andrea Everson of Studio 61 Hair was our generous head shaver again this year. Our first female contestant raised more money herself than what we had raised on some previous years contests in the past.  Ana Genz, along with Craig Horak of the Tire and Auto Store in Grand Marais and Cory Christiansen, fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail raised over $10,000.  Craig encouraged the spectators to give a little more by announcing he would shave his beard, growing since he was 16 years old, and his chest if $500 more was raised.  Needless to say, volunteer vet Ellen Anderson, Craig’s wife, went home with a very different man on Friday night.

The auction featuring items such as a photography session with Bryan Hansel and prints by local photographer Nace Hagemann brought in more money for the cause.  The Vikings football signed by Adrian Petersen was the expected hit of the night but instead a hand tied blanket donated by Mush for a Cure organizers and tied by Shari Baker pulled in $1000.  It’s always an entertaining evening and this year was no exception.

Saturday started out with a delicious pancake breakfast at Gunflint Pines and the short course event that featured small sled dog teams and skijorers.  The main event began at noon after the National Anthem was sung by local Abby and Linden Sutton. There was a Sourdough Start, where mushers begin in their sleeping bags with boots off.  It’s fun to watch the mushers hurry to get dressed, get their teams hitched up and take to the trail.

Food was served by the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club as the spectators waited for the teams to return to Gunflint Lake. Musher Awards were handed out and before we knew it the fat lady had sung and it was all over for another year.  The National Breast Cancer Foundation should receive another check for over $30,000 and all involved should be super proud to have been a part of Mush for a Cure 2013.

Awards-

• Zombie King- Ed Heineman
• Zombie Queen- Ana Genz(raised over $5000!)
• Pink Lantern- Don Deckert
• Dork Award- Susan Hoppe
• Best Dressed Team- Lenny Wendel
• Best in Pink- Shanna Peoble
• Most pledges- Don Deckert
• Most dollars raised- Jessica Berg-Collman(raised over $5000)