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.