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Runners at Rock River Canyon enjoyed miles of flowing single track in the beach and pine forests from Valley Spur to the Rock River Canyon in the 5th edition of the race. They were greeted with a wide range of weather including breezy winds, intermittant clouds and sunshine, and a few fast moving rain cells that flew over the course. With start temps in the high 40s and finish temps in the low 60s conditions were ideal for trail racing.
Complete results are now available for viewing.
Caleb Jay of Gwinn, Michigan crosses Buck Bay Creek on his way to a 6:03:31 performance in the 50K. Photo: Scott Lawrence
A total of 64 racers registered for this year's Rock River Canyon Trail Run, hailing from 12 states and Ontario. The race had a remarkable age range for the participants, form 17 year old Natalie Schetter in the 27K to 72 year old Steven Borcherding in the 50K.
Andrew Phillips of Howell, MI raced to victory in the Men's 27K, finishing in under three hours (2:56:54). Second overall and the first female was Chelsea Atterbery of Munising (3:03:44).
In the 50K Cory Fries of Blufton, SC was the first to cross the line (4:56:04) and was the official winner, however, James Lilly of nearby Trenary, who started the race late, actually had the fastest time (4:50:08). Fries and Lilly were the only two racers to finish in under 5 hours. Fries was also the 2023 overall winner (4:31:24). Kate Kuntze of Cedar River, MI was the female winner, crossing the line in 5:26:16.
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Treetops Resort in Gaylord welcomed trail runners to their Alpine Ski Area with freshly made snow and bright sunshine. If you have never visited the Treetops Resort and the rolling highlands of Northern Lower Michigan, the Treetops Trifecta is perhaps the best opportunity. Held over the weekend of November 4-5 the Treetops Trifecta featured a 5K, Hill Climb and a Half Marathon. It was the final trail race on the Great Lakes Endurance trail racing calendar for 2023. Complete results and photos are now available for all three races and for the Trifecta, where runners compete in all three events for the overall title.
Treetops Trifecta Results
Race Recap
Cadillac High School student Matthew Stilson started the weekend with a new course record in the 5K (18:47) and then did the same with the Hill Climb (4:16.5). Finishing 2nd in both races was Paul Hagan, an accomplished ultra runner from Petoskey. The question leading into Sunday's half marathon was whether the remarkable trail speed of the younger Stilson was sufficient to carry him to victory in the half marathon, his first attempt at the distance. Or, would the title go to the more seasoned Hagan, with many years of long distance trail racing under his belt. Although the lead was exchanged several times, ultimately it was Hagan who captured the half marathon title, charging hard up the last hill to the finish in 1:29:05, the only runner to crack the 90 minute barrier. Stilson was 2nd in 1:34:44. In the Trifecta standings, Stilson held on to his overall title, edging Hagan by just one point, 4 to 5. Nicholas Daum of Lansing, MI captured the 3rd podium spot in the Trifecta with a total of 15 points.
Amanda Brindley of West Branch, MI took overall honors in the Women's Trifecta, finishing 1st in both the 5K and Hill Climb, and then finishing 2nd in the Half Marathon to Amanda Wojan of Gaylord. Michelle Spiegla of Battle Creek had finished 2nd to Brindley in both the 5K and Hill Climb and then went on to finish 3rd in the Half Marathon to earn a Trifecta score of 7, good for 2nd overall. Heather Nix of Midland, MI finished 3rd behind Brindley and Spiegla in both the 5K and Hill Climb. In the Half Marathon she was edged by 4th place Trifecta finisher Jennifer Shelbourne of Davisburg, MI, but still had a sufficient score to edge Shelbourne, 11 to 13, to capture the 3rd podium spot.
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Bluebird skies, the crimson and gold of the island’s maple forests and the aquamarine of Lake Superior created the backdrop for the Le Demi Grand Half Marathon and 10K. Cool winds from the North created nearly perfect conditions for racing. It was a good day to be on Grand Island.
Complete results are now available for viewing.
Carl Morrison of Marquette, MI repeated as half marathon champion, covering the 13.1 mile course in 1:37:29. Paul Vance of Royal Oak, MI was the only other runner to break 1:40, finishing 2nd (1:38:14). Brian Edgette of nearby Autrain, running his first race ever, captured 3rd overall in 1:41:04. Erin Cornwell of Pickford, MI improved her 2022 time by over 7 minutes, breaking two hours this year (1:59:01) and moving up from 3rd to 1st among the women. Kelsey Homan (Marquette, MI) and Kaitlin Homan (Chicago, IL) captured the 2nd and 3rd overall spots in 2:09:10 and 2:14:13 respectively.
Daniel Paavola of Marquette, MI covered the hilly 10K course in 52:45 to capture the overall title. Less than 25 seconds back, Daniel Shovels was in the chase, crossing the finish in 53:09 for second. In a remarkable Master's Runner performance, 68 year old Joseph Hart of Munising took the last podium spot, 3rd overall in 54:32. Anne Ritter of Sun Prairie, WI ran and outstanding race, capturing the women's overall title in 55:47. The only other woman to break 1 hour, Madeleine Ocallaghan of Cadillac, MI finished 2nd in 59:30. Ruby Miller of Marquette, MI took the 3rd podium spot in the women's 10k, finishing in 1:01:28.
We want to thank the student athletes from Superior Central High School who assisted with aid stations and the finish line, the Alger Amateur Radio Association for communications, the Alger County EMS for mobile safety and our hard working sweepers, Daniel Cullen for the half marathon and Kent Walker for the 10K. Our volunteers reported that the runners were kind and gracious and so we extend our thanks to all the runners for making the Le Demi Grand trail race such a joy to be a part of.
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The gracious words of 25K runner Amy Dykouse said it all, “As for the scenery and trail, it was simply soul restoring.” The Tahqua course, since the race’s inception 17 years ago, has had a profound effect on runners. You can see it in the faces of runners at the finish line. It changes you.
The 2023 edition sustained that ethos, with 120 runners from 11 U.S states and Canada participating. Filtered beams of sunlight alternated with light mist and wind creating ideal racing weather. Complete results are now available for viewing.
Anthony Barbera of Macomb, MI defended his overall title in the 10K, improving his time by over two minutes from his 2022 performance, crossing the line in 56:30. Tony Trzaskos of New Hudson was not far behind, reaching the Upper Falls in 56:57. Chasing Trzaskos was 13 year old Leif Briggs-Lind (Bay City, MI), who also ran sub 1 hour in 57:17. Leif improved his time by 12 minutes over his 2022 performance. Casey Wohlschlegel (Gladwin, MI) was the only other runner to crack 1 hour on the demanding Tahqua course. However, Morgan Kuhns of Rockford, MI was close, winning the women's 10K title in 1:00:40. She was followed by Tessa Wohlschlegel (Gladwin, MI) in 1:07:23. Completing the women's podium was Lily Sargent of Gaylord, MI (1:08:52).
Josoph Kozikowski of Kimberly, WI covered the 25K course in 2:20:18, overtaking Steven Sutters of Grandview, OH in the last several miles. Sutters had led the field through most of the race and it took a sustained charge to catch him. Sutters finished only 6 seconds back in 2:20:24. Matthew McGlinch of Livonia, MI completed the men's 25K podium, crossing the line in 2:29:56. Finishing 5th overall and winning the women's 25K title was Chelsey Attebery of Munising, MI (2:38:10). Grace Koopman of Nunica, MI had a strong race this year, covering the 25K course in 2:45:50, nine minutes faster than her 2022 performance. Completing the women's 25K podium was Brook Owens of Laramie, WY with a time of 2:47:51.
Providing hope and inspiration for a different type of endurance in the 25K were 70 year old Gerard Wilbrink of Okemos, MI 3:18:05 and 71 year old Terri Veldman of Gowen, MI (4:09:49).
Abundant gratitude goes to our course sweeper, Jason Merrithew, the students and parents from the Whitefish Township School who provided aid at our three aid stations, our medics Peggy Moore and Judy Griebel from Paradise EMS and Matt Lepard who assisted with finish line timing.