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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Last Updated: 26 August 2025

Young runners provided a glowing beam of hope for the future of trail running at the 2025 Tahqua.  In the 25K, 15 year old Fenlynn Johnson of Rogers City, MI blazed the challenging Tahqua course in 2:29:35 to capture the overall women’s title.  Moreover, she finished third overall in a tough men’s field.  This was the third GLE event for Johnson in 2025.  She also captured the overall half marathon title at the Two Hearted Trail Run on June 21 and finished 2nd among the women in the highly competitive Grand Island Trail Marathon (4:02:58) on July 26.  In the 10K 14 year old Joshua Keillor of Boyne City, MI cruised (and hopped, skipped and jumped) from the Lower to the Upper Falls in 46:46, nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest competitor to capture the overall title. There were more runners in the 12-14 age group in 2025 than in the history of the Tahqua Trail Run. Keep in mind, the Tahqua 10K is considered the most challenging 10K in Michigan.  Watching these young trail runners was inspiring and bodes well for the future of the sport.  And at the same time the competitive field was beautifully bookended with veteran master 70+ runners including Barth Zurbuchen (70), Gerard Wilbrink (72) in the 25K and Robert Courtright (74) in the 10K. 

Fenlynn Johnson (Rogers City, MI) and Jeffrey (Kalamazoo, MI) overall winners of the 25K.  Their times were 2:14:59 and 2:29:35 respectively.

The 25K, considered one of the classic point to point courses in the Midwest saw Jeffrey Davis of Kalamazoo, MI jump out to early lead and he never looked back, finishing first in 2:14:59.  Five minutes back in 2nd was Sean Munro of Northville, MI (2:19:23).  Jeffrey Hicks of Coloma, MI completed the men’s podium, crossing the line in 2:40:50.  Fenlynn Johnson, with her bold and strong running style, earned the overall title (2:29:35).  Fiona Scott of Petoskey, MI also demonstrated remarkable trail running skill, finishing 2nd (2:42:52).  In an equally impressive finish, 60 year old Jean Seward, competing on par with the talented teenagers in front of her, completed the top trio of women, finishing in 2:57:09.  It is a notable achievement for any runner to complete the Tahqua 25K in under three hours. Joshua Keillor (Boyne City, MI) and Marissa Lobert (Sault Ste. Marie, ONT) , overall winners of the 10K trail run.  Their times were 46:46 and 57:42 respectively.

The 10K, which includes an abundance of roots, rocks, staircases and a net elevation gain, witnessed a impressive array of finishers.  As noted Joshua Keillor captured the overall title (46:46) while Samuel Ohland of Portage, MI followed in 48:48 to finish 2nd.   Leif Briggs-Lind of Bay City, MI rounded out the top trio of men’s runners, finishing in 52:08. Briggs-Lind had previous racing experience on the course, finishing 3rd in 2023, albeit his time this year was 5 minutes faster.   Marissa Lobert of Sault Ste. Marie, ONT earned the overall women’s title in the10K, crossing the line in 57:47.  Joining Lobert on the podium were Sarah Larson of Lake Odessa, MI  (1:09:34) and Jenna Briggs-Lind (1:12:30). 

Leif Briggs-Lind and Samuel Ohland, 3rd and 2nd overall in the men’s 10K recover and share stories at the GLE refreshment tent.

Perhaps more than any other race, the Tahqua exemplifies the welcoming and inclusive community that GLE works to build.  Many runners return every year for this experience, including the Lepard family, for whom the Tahqua has become an annual tradition.  Their graciousness and appreciation has been a hallmark of the Tahqua.  And Jennifer and Richard Hodge of Bay City, veterans of nearly all GLE trail races, whose relaxed approach to racing has so much to teach us all about the sport.  It has been a joy to watch and listen to the entire Tahqua crew of participants over its 18 years.

Enjoying the post race atmosphere (L to R): Juliette Barnhill (Columbus, OH), Kimberly Robinson (Columbus, OH), Sharonda Williams (San Antonio, TX), Donyell After (Ashland, OH), Kerri Allen (Kentwood, MI), and Lynette Dawson (Helotes, TX).

Thanks and gratitude go out to our wonderful volunteers, including the crew from the Tahquameon Area Pathways Association who worked the aid stations,  course monitors Roger and Diane Clark, the Luce County Amateur Radio Association, our medical crew including Peggy Moore, Amy Mayer and Pat Rowley and finish line crew members Aaron Deiter and Kent Walker. 

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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 01 August 2025

A brilliant sunrise greeted the 50K runners as they started out past Murray Bay and into the Tombolo.  On the course the forest canopy filtered the sun into focused beams and on the crystal clear water the sun danced about in diamond sparkles.  At the finish line beach, runners basked in the sun’s warmth as the cooled down with a swim in Lake Superior.  It was a good day to be on Grand Island.  Complete results are available for viewing. 

James Lilly, from nearby Trenary, took the lead early in the 50K and kept it, crossing the finish line in 4:02:29. He was chased by Coulter Holden of South Range, WI, just over a minute back in 4:03:47. Completing the men’s podium, Scott Kent of Waukesha, WI finished third among the men in 4:23:51.  Natalie Anderson of Menominee, MI took a commanding lead among the women and looked strong crossing the line in 4:17:46 for the overall win.  The only other woman to finish in under five hours, Erica Aikman of Dewitt, MI captured second in 4:32:15.  Sara Combs of Indianapolis, IN completed the top trio, finishing in 5:07:01.

The marathon distance has been in the mix of race distances at Grand Island since its original edition in 2005.  This year’s winner was Aaron Nault of Ishpeming, MI, finishing in 3:42:57.  Competing with Nault for much of the race, Joshua Johnson of Grand Rapids, MI held on for a strong 2nd place finish in 3:47:19.  Doug Schneider of Newport, KY captured third overall, crossing the line in 3:53:50.  A trio of exceptional athletes took the top three places in the women’s marathon.  Veteran trail runner Victoria Asmus, 57 of Marquette, MI was the only woman to crack the four hour barrier, winning the women’s marathon in 3:57:37.  She was chased by a talented  15 year old high school cross country runner, Fenlynn Johnson, running her first marathon.  Johnson’s debut time was 4:02:58.  Completing the women’s marathon podium was Laerina Van Strien of Skandia, MI, finishing in 4:07:08.

In the super competitive half marathon, Bodie Thomas of Vashon, WA and Jaben Bakker of Hudsonville, MI dueled to the very end, with Thomas edging Bakker by 1 second, 1:22:33 to 1:22:34.  Thomas victory represents a repeat of his win last year, but 8 minutes faster than 2024.  Mark Hernandez of Elkart, IN earned third overall with his time of 1:30:43.  Improving from her runner up finish last year, Sophia Huber of Urbandale, IA captured the women’s overall title in 1:40:10.  Joining Huber on the women’s podium wrestler Madeleine Hanak of Grand Haven, MI (1:49:34) and Lauren Parrottino of Royal Oak, MI (1:50:39)

Special thanks and gratitude go to our aid station volunteers from the cross country team from Superior Central High School and  the Munising Bay Trail Network (MBTN).  MBTN also provided course sweeps.  In addition, communications was provided by the Alger Amateur Radio Association and medical staff from Alger County EMS and Munising Memorial Hospital.  Organizing a 50K, marathon and half marathon  trail race on a wilderness island in Lake Superior is a challenging task, made possible only by the outstanding efforts of volunteers. 

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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 16 July 2025

It was a collective trip back to childhood and the joy of splashing in rain filled puddles.  But on a grand scale in the lush forests of Waugoshance.  When setting up the course earlier in the week I noticed an abundance of wildflowers in the wetlands south of Goose Pond.  Coreopsis, TigerLilies, Hare Bells, Shasta Daisies, Lady Slippers.  And I knew this indicated that it had been a wet spring.  Another indicator was a 20 ft section of calf deep water and yet another 50 ft section of trail underwater near Big Sucker Creek, courtesy of a local family of beavers.  The frosting on the cake though, was a soaking thunderstorm moving through the region during the first several hours on race day.  True to the tough and durable mindset of trail runners,  we started seeing finishers at the Mackinaw School exclaiming, “That was awesome!” This was a refrain heard from smiling, mud spackled runners finishing all distances.  Complete results are available for viewing.  Runners from 14 states and Canada participated in this, the 14th edition of the Waugoshance Trail Run.

Shane Lishawa of Mount Shasta, California captured the overall title in the 50K with a time of 4:06:38, about 14 minutes off his course record from 2023.  Shane, a ecological restoration research scientist, spends his summers working in Northern Michigan.  Yooper Matthew Johnson (Negaunee, MI) was the only other runner to crack the five hour mark, finishing in 4:58:37.  Ann Arbor’s Quinn Moon rounded out the men’s top trio, finishing in 5:08:33. Concetta Macko of Pittsburgh, PA convincingly won the women’s 50K in 5:27:31 and was the only woman to break six hours on the challenging Waugoshance course.  Joining Macko on the women’s podium were Mary Bolich of Milwaukee, WI (6:00:46) and Kelsey Robinson of Canton, MI (6:03:04). 

Shane Lishawa, winning the Men's 50K in 4:06:38.

A veteran of many Waugoshance Trail Runs, Kevin Burke of Athens, GA took the men’s marathon title in 3:31:57.  Joining Burke on the men’s podium were Noah Krzan of Kalamazoo, MI, (3:53:56) and 16 year old high school XC runner Jace Thomas of Birch Run, MI (4:17:08).  Showing both grit and grace, Claire Taylor of Ann Arbor, MI captured the women’s marathon title in 4:10:23.  Taylor is also a Field Hockey player and engineering student at the University of Michigan. Following Taylor, and also in her debut trail marathon, was Cassie Garcia of Northville, MI, finishing in 4:16:56.  Cassie will be a Freshman at the University of Kentucky this Fall.  Traveling from the foothills of the Sierras, Karin Nelson of Rocklin, CA (4:43:10) completed the top trio of finishers for the women. 

Claire Taylor, women's marathon champion (4:10: 23) recovering at the finish line.

Ross Hartley of Granville, OH set a blistering pace early and cruised to a victory in the half marathon, crossing the line in 1:34:28.  Practically running in his backyard, Carp Lake’s Parker Etheridge captured 2nd overall in 1:42:37, and outstanding performance for a 15 year old. Ryan Smith of Dexter, MI earned the 3rd overall spot in the half in 1:43:14.  Smith was this year’s overall winner of the Rock River Canyon 27K and the Two Hearted Half Marathon.  In the women’s half marathon, Sophie Bolich of Milwaukee, WI led the field, crossing the line in 2:00:22.  She was followed by Anna Bertram of Dexter, MI (2:09:20).  Kimber Pierzchalski of Vanderbilt, MI completed the women’s podium, finishing in 2:16:51.

Start of the Half Marathon near the Goose Pond, Wilderness State Park. 

Special thanks and gratitude go to students and their parents at the Mackinaw City School who worked the aid stations and the Carp Lake Fire & Rescue crew who provided radio communications and medical support. 

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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 25 June 2025

The 2025 Two Hearted Trail Run escaped the record setting heat that encompassed the midwest on June  21, but captured the dynamic thunderstorms on its edge.  Light sprinkles at the start transitioned to steady rain as the system moved out along the coast and into Lake Superior, the world’s largest fresh water lake.  Runners reported stunning views of the storm from atop bluffs overlooking Lake Superior around the 11 mile point in the 50K.  The trail was is its best condition in the event’s history, but runners still encountered the big water hole at around 24 miles, reported to be thigh deep.  Half marathoners endured the infamous bog at 9 miles.  As is true to the character of trail runners, many finishers exhibited broad smiles and variations of “That was awesome!”  Complete results are now available for viewing. 

Joe Power Wayvon of Detroit, MI took the lead early in the 50K and held it for the entire route, finishing first in 4:24:42.  He was followed by Alexandre Rech of Curitiba, Brazil (4:37:29) and Matt Jones of Muskegon, MI (5:06:13).  Zoe Thompson of Belmont led the women, crossing the line in 6:02:58.   She was joined on the women’s podium by Lindsey McGlinch of Livonia, MI (6:07:03) and Alexandra Dober of Indianapolis, IN (6:07:24). 

50K Champions Joe Power Wayvon of Detroit, MI (4:24:42) and Zoe Thompson of Belmont, MI (6:02:58)

The Marathon winners each hailed from Colorado.  Daniel Humer of Morrison, CO covered the challenging 26.2 mile course in 4:17:24.  Only two minutes back, Ethan Sendek of Millington, MI crossed the line in 4:19:45.   Jeremy York of Ann Arbor, MI completed the men’s podium, finishing in 4:30:30.  Marthe Naess, originally from Trondheim, Norway, now living in Boulder, CO had a good day at Two Hearted, winning the women’s marathon in 4:38:29.  Autumn Saenz of Westland, MI finished 2nd in 4:53:52.  The third podium spot was earned by Anni Maniglia of Ann Arbor, MI, finishing in 4:57:28.

Marathon Champions Marthe Naess of Boulder, CO (4:38:29) and Daniel Humer of Morrison, CO (4:17:24)

Fresh off his win at the Rock River Canyon 27K, Ryan Smith of Dexter, MI led start to finish in the men’s half marathon, crossing the line in 1:46:07.  Brendan Conard (Westland, MI) was just a few minutes back in 1:49:47.  Chasing Conard was Rob Kennedy of Wheaton, IL in 1:50:00.  Fifteen year old Fenlynn Johnson, a high school XC runner from Rogers City captured the women’s half marathon title in 1:51:40, also good for 4th overall.  Erin Cornwell from nearby Pickford, MI crossed the line in 1:58:00, good for 2nd, while Stella Warnes of Traverse City, MI completed the women’s podium, finishing in 2:07:30. 

Half Marathon Champions Fennlynn Johnson of Rogers City, MI (1:51:40) and Ryan Smith of Dexter, MI (1:46:07)

The 2025 Two Hearted cohort was geographically eclectic, with runners coming from 21 states and 4 countries.  The youngest runners were 13 year old Bjorn Johnson and 14 year old Genevieve Hanna of Detour Village, MI while the eldest runners were Gerard Wilbrink (Okemos, MI) and Todd Leff (Ann Arbor, MI), both 71 and Laura Norcutt (Sanford, MI), 66. 

Still strong after all these years, top performing Senior runners at Two Hearted (L to R): Clare Mendelsohn, 61, of Deerton, MI (2:28:34), Todd Leff, 71, of Ann Arbor, MI (2:28:47), and Gerard Wilbrink, 71, of Okemos, MI (2:24:35).

Our thanks and gratefulness extend to our 50K aid station volunteers from the Tahquamenon Country Pathways Association, half marathon aid station crew of Roger and Diane Clark, the Shore to Shore Chapter of the North Country Trail (who cleared the trail including 10 downed trees between the mouth of the Two Hearted and Culhane Lake), radio communications provided by the Luce Amateur Radio Association and medical coverage provided by our great crew of EMTs: Peggy Moore, Amy Abram, Destiny Handrich and Amy Mayer.