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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 08 September 2024

Both of our Tahquamenon Falls trail races in 2024 provided runners with refreshing rain on the trail.  In both cases, Two Hearted and the classic Tahqua, held on August 10, the rain helped runners earn faster times.  Complete results for the Tahqua are available for viewing. 

In the 25K Peter Shambaugh of Ontonagon, MI blazed through the course in 2:13:57.  Andrew Jones of Boulder, CO was a little more than 5 minutes back n 2:19:16, while Jacob Koopman captured the third podium spot, crossing the line 2:24:44.  In the women’s race it was 17 year old Emily Rather of Laingsburg, MI, demonstrating trail skills far beyond her age, winning the women’s race in 2:31:59.  Showing the true skill of a master trail runner, Julia Lewis of Fort Collins, CO was second overall in 2:38:28, while also capturing the 50-59 age group title.  A remarkable performance by 14 year old Fenlynn Johnson of Rogers City, MI,  earned the third podium spot for the women, crossing the finish in 2:40:41.

Giant pines and single track, one mile from the finish at the Tahqua Trail Run (Scott Lawrence, photo).

The Tahqua 10K is considered the most challenging 10K in the midwest, but Evan Shambaugh of Sault Ste. Marie, MI navigated the roots, rocks and staircases in skillful fashion, winning in 51:48.  High school runner David Mann of Sterling Heights, MI captured the second spot in 55:07 while Travis Sigman of Alanson, MI earned the third podium spot, finishing in 56:37.  Amanda Wojan, a veteran of our Treetops Trifecta, captured the women’s 10K title in 1:02:46.  Carrie Merrithew of Traverse City, MI was only 4 seconds back in 1:02:50, good for second overall.  Olivia Weenum of Grandville, MI finished third overall in 1:03:59.

We are grateful to our aid station volunteers from the Tahquamenon Area Pathways Association, the Luce County Amateur Radio Association for communications and Roger & Diane Clark and  Kent Walker for their help on the trail and finish line.

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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 17 August 2024

Runners in the 19th edition of the Grand Island Trail Run enjoyed a spectacular sunrise over Trout Bay or the East Channel, depending on their start time.  Participants arrived from 33 states and 3 countries to race the alluring trails of this Lake Superior island.  Complete results are available for viewing. Images from the race were captured by photographer Scott Lawrence, including captivating drone shots featuring the island’s cliffs, sand beaches and lush forests.  A slideshow of Lawrence’s images is available for viewing. 

Crusing at a sub 8 minute per mile on the island’s demanding terrain, 19 year old Tyler Stark of Duluth, MN captured the 50K overall title.  Stark and runner up James Lilly of nearby Trenary, MI ran in tandem, pushing the pace on the Trout Bay Beach and both beach to cliff ascents (East Rim at 8.5 miles and West Rim at 16 miles), however it was long flat stretch though a dense maple hardwood forest at 20 miles where Stark put the hammer down and built his lead.  Stark finished in 3:56:04, the only runner to crack the 4 hour barrier.  Lilly crossed the line in 4:10:18.  Lilly had previously won the Rock River Canyon 50K in early June and finished second at the demanding Two Hearted 50K in late June.  David Kirby of Huntington Woods, MI completed the men’s 50K podium, 3 minutes behind Lilly in 4:13:40.  Natalie Anderson of Menominee, MI won the women’s 50K with a remarkable 4:21:22 performance.  Katy-Jane Shanak of Wausau, WI crossed the line 30 minutes later in 4:51:04, good for second overall.  Capturing 3rd overall, Lucy Campbell of Superior, WI covered the 31 mile course in 4:54:45. A total of 4 women and 11 men finished the 50K in under 5 hours. 

Catherine Austin of Crystal Falls, MI at mile 21, enroute to a 5:14:08 finish in the 50K.  (Photo: Scott Lawrence, Upper Productions)

Noah Krzan of Kalamazoo, MI was the top finisher in the men’s marathon, crossing the line in 3:17:42.  Duluth’s Colin Willemsen was less than 8 minutes  back in 3:25:14.  The third podium spot went to Charlie Trense of New York, NY in 3:40:20. In the women’s race, Abigail Irvine, who hails from just down the southern coast of Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MI, captured the women’s title in 3:42:35, also good for 5th overall. Following Irvine was Gina Honkala of Calumet, MI (3:48:52).  Completing and all Lake Superior watershed trio, Melinda Loubser of Marquette, MI earned the third spot on the women’s marathon podium (3:50:31). 

Hailing from Vashon Island, WA, 16 year old Bodie Thomas captured the half marathon title in 1:30:28.  Nearly 10 minutes back but 4 decades older than Thomas, Benedikt Schorner of Kentwood, MI finished 2nd (1:40:40) while William Wagner of Detroit, MI (1:41:32) completed the 3rd spot on the podium for the men.  Kareena Clendening of Apple Valley, MN captured the women’s half marathon title in 1:43:07.  Sophia Huber of Urbandale, IA (1:44:25) and Kelly Goodwin of Dover, NH (1:48:59) earned 2nd and 3rd spots on the women’s podium, respectively. 

Mark your calendars.  Big plans are being made for the 20th edition of the Grand Island Trail Run, set for July 26, 2025.  Registration will open in November, 2023. 

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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 08 September 2024

Over 150 runners from 21 states and 3 countries competed in the 2024 Waugoshance Trail Run, which included 50K, Marathon and Half Marathon distances.  Complete results are now available for viewing.

The vast majority of the Waugoshance Trail Run travels through Wilderness State Park with its large, contiguous and diverse forests along Lake Michigan.  That rich habitat provided runners a symphony of bird song.  Joelle Gehring, who competed in the marathon, heard 27 different species along the way including the uncommon and beautiful Black throated blue warbler. Trail running brings many rewards and the experience of listening and seeing wildlife are among the best. 

Nick Gapp of Highland, MI captured the overall 50K title in 4:01:22.  The women’s victor was Margaret Retsema of Grand Haven, MI (4:56:21).  In the men’s race Gapp was followed by Sean Munro of Northville, MI n(4:22:44) and Mitchell Vermet of Royal Oak, MI (4:32:33).  Also achieving podium spots for the women were Shannon McNammara-Smith of Sterling, IL (5:00:34) and Roxanne Carr of Rochester, MI (5:16:52).

In the marathon it was Jackson Fowler of Lowell, MI who crossed the line in first in 3:24:12).  He was the only runner to crack the 4 hour barrier.  The women’s champ, and second overall was Salena Clohisy of Negaunee, MI (4:00:27).  Michael Nelson of Grand Rapids, MI (4:24:37) and Zachary Rodgers of Beacon, NY (4:43:31) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.  Among the women marathoners, Trisha Berry of Grand Ledge, MI (4:38:09) and Joie Falcon of Columbia, SC (5:38:20) completed the top finish trio. 

Consistent with a long tradition at Waugoshance, a high school cross country star earned the overall title.  Caden Hostetler captured the lead early and never looked back, crossing the line in 1:35:45.  More than 10 minutes back in 2nd was Nathan Koch of Eagle River, WI (1:46:27).  Koch was more than two decades older, however. Parker Ethridge of Manhattan, IL completed the half marathon podium in 1:51:34.  In the women’s race it was Amanda George of Davison, MI leading the way in 1:54:54, the only woman to break 2 hours on the challenging half marathon course. Emily Scott of Lansing, MI captured the runner up spot in 2:00:18.  Traci Ethridge of Manhattan, IL earned the 3rd podium spot with her 2:03:43.

Amanda George, women's half marathon winner crosses the finish in Mackinaw City (Photo:  Connor Corgard)

We thank our volunteers including the Mackinaw City High School students and parents who staffed the aid stations, the Carp Lake Fire Department who provided medical and radio communications, Jim Engel who assisted with course marking and our finish line crew of Kent Walker, Larry Grow, Paul and Julie Hartman and Connor Corgard.

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Jeff Crumbaugh

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Race Updates

Last Updated: 25 June 2024

Forecasted rain held off for 5 hours at Two Hearted, allowing the Half Marathon runners and top runners in the 50K and Marathon ideal cool overcast conditions in the low 60s.  Complete results are available for all race distances.  The 2024 Two Hearted attracted 165 runners from 20 states and Mexico.  Both the 50K and Marathon feature a stunning point to point course which includes the iconic mouth of the Two Hearted River, high bluffs above Lake Superior and Culhane Lake on its rolling single track course.  The Half Marathon course featured a lollipop configuration, flowing pine needle covered single track and shoreline vistas of remote Clark Lake.

In the 50K, both winners smashed course records.  William Cadwell, a former University of Kentucky XC and Track runner, covered the 31 mile point to point course in 3:51:52, the only runner to break 4 hours on this course.  Michelle Magagna of Portage, MI also set a new course record for the women.  Magagna crossed the line in 4:28:41, not only winning the women's race, but also finishing 4th overall.  She would have won the race out right in 2021 and 2022.  The next two spots on the men's podium included Patrick Monette (Oxford, MI) in 4:13:32 and James Lilly (Trenary, MI) in 4:22:21.  Monette and Lilly ran in tandem until mile 22 where Monette pulled ahead on rolling section of single track near the Little Two Hearted Lakes.   On the women's podium Magnaga was joined by Mariana Grohowski of Hancock, MI (5:13:11) and Sarah Raubenheimer of Ann Arbor (5:36:42).

Michelle Magagna breaking the 50K courser record at the 2024 Two Hearted.  (Photo: Ian McMerrill)

Overall winners of the marathon were Jackson Rumery of Gobles, MI (4:20:17) and Lynn Marowske of Marquette, MI (4:31:36). Gobles was followed by Ryan Diehl  of Walker, MI (4:23:14) and Mike Kostin of Philadelphia, PA (4:28:55).  Completing the women’s marathon podium were Abigail McMerrill of Sun Prairie, WI (5:05:05) and Morgan Lindback of Ann Arbor, MI (5:21:49).

Participants in the marathon event had a remarkable age range from 14 year old Gabriel Reginatospence of Mt. Pleasant (5:29:11) to 69 year old Gerhard Fussle of Winona Lake, IN (5:40:58). 

Mitchell Klingler of Marshall, MI (1:29:15) and Rachel Mecca of Midland, MI (1:53:44) were overall champions of the Two Hearted Half Marathon.   Klingler ran solo the entire distance stretching out his lead by 23 minutes over Jacob Koopman of Nunica, MI in 1:52:37.  Third overall among the men was Quentin Bullock of Traverse City, MI in 1:57:05.  Erin Cornwell of Pickford, MI finished 2nd among the women in 1:57:10 while Stella Warnes of Traverse City, MI rounded out the Half Marathon podium, crossing the finish in 2:00:10.