Posted: 3/12/03

Smith wins Beargrease half marathon

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Columbus Township dog musher Robyn Smith came home from the John Beargrease events in Duluth on March 2-3 with two major wins and accomplishments in her pocket.

Smith and her eight-dog team won the two-day John Beargrease Half-Marathon race that ran between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. The race covered 130 miles along the north shore of Lake Superior.

She bested a field of 37 dog teams to capture the first place honor in her biggest win yet.

While Smith was pleased by the first-place showing, she said a secondary honor was as meaningful. Smithís team was judged the best kept team by a slate of veterinarians who evaluated and judged all teams in the race.

By winning the race, Smith captured a $1500 cash prize and a trophy. A trophy was also presented for the best kept team honor. She also received two pairs of racing boots for her efforts.

The Columbus musher will be in action again this weekend along the north shore of Lake Superior. She is entered in the 120-mile Grand Portage Passage on March 15-16.

The Grand Portage Passage is an eight-dog race.

Smith is sponsored by Kodiak Coffee, Ottomeyer Clinic and the Old Log Cabin in Forest Lake, and Hometown Auto in Hugo.

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