Anderson Wins Close UP200 Sled Dog Race, Oberg Third in Midnight Run

Local musher Joanna Oberg finishes third in the 82-mile Midnight Run event

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ryan Anderson won the UP200 dog sled race this past weekend, finishing just six minutes ahead of second-place Erin Aili. In the Midnight Run sled dog race, local musher Joanna Oberg finished third with a total time of 6 hours and 43 minutes.

Why it matters

The UP200 is one of the top mid-distance sled dog races in the Midwest and serves as a qualifier for the prestigious Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The close finish between Anderson and Aili mirrors their performance in last month's John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport in the region.

The details

Anderson finished the 228-mile UP200 course in 22 hours, 9 minutes, and 35 seconds, with Aili coming in second place just 6 minutes behind. In the 82-mile Midnight Run event, local musher Joanna Oberg placed third with a total time of 6 hours and 43 minutes.

  • Ryan Anderson won the UP200 race at 9:41 a.m. on February 16, 2026.
  • Erin Aili finished the UP200 race in second place on February 16, 2026.

The players

Ryan Anderson

The winner of the 228-mile UP200 sled dog race.

Erin Aili

The second-place finisher in the UP200 sled dog race, finishing just 6 minutes behind the winner.

Joanna Oberg

A local musher who finished third in the 82-mile Midnight Run sled dog race.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The UP200 and Midnight Run is a great race for the Marquette, Michigan, area that attracts mushers from the lower 48 and Canada.”

— Matthew Brown, Race judge (WTIP)

What’s next

The top finishers in the UP200 race will now look ahead to the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a prestigious event that serves as the culmination of the sled dog racing season.

The takeaway

The close finishes in both the UP200 and Midnight Run events showcase the high level of competition in sled dog racing in the Marquette, Michigan, region, which has become a hub for the sport thanks to its abundant snowfall and challenging terrain.