Ryan Anderson wins Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Ryan Anderson
Ryan Anderson of Ray, Minn., comes under the finish banner as he wins the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on Wednesday morning, Feb. 2, 2011, in Duluth, Minn.
AP Photo/Duluth News Tribune, Bob King

Ryan Anderson of the northern Minnesota town of Ray has won the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in a neck-and-neck finish.

Anderson and his 11 dogs crossed the finish line in Duluth Wednesday morning just two seconds ahead of defending champ Nathan Schroeder, of Chisholm, and his 10 dogs.

The Duluth News Tribune reports Anderson and Schroeder were side-by-side for much of the final dash.

Mushers say they're pleased with how fast the trail was.

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The teams set off Sunday afternoon for the nearly 400-mile trip from Duluth up the North Shore of Lake Superior, up the Gunflint Trail, and back to Duluth. Anderson crossed the finish line shortly before 9:30 a.m.Wednesday with a little under 40 hours of total time on the trail.

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Online: Beargrease 2011

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)