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.