Keweenaw Trail Running Festival

April 17, 2003

Hancock, Mich. - The July issue of Runner's World will feature a story written by Tom Henderson on the Keweenaw Trail Running Festival. Henderson, a best selling novelist, has run the race since its inception in 2000. Last year, Runners World editor Amby Burfoot spoke with race director Jeff Crumbaugh about doing the story. Originally, the story was assigned to Olympic marathoner Don Kardong, but a scheduling conflict prevented him from attending. "Don really wanted to come up to the Keweenaw and run the race," said Crumbaugh. Henderson, who has written several articles for Runner's World was then assigned to the job. "He has run the race and loves the Keweenaw. Plus, I like his writing style," said Crumbaugh.

Two years ago in an article written by Nancy Hobbs, RW listed the event as one of the Top Five Trail Events worth Traveling To. Runners from eleven states, Austria, Ireland, and England have competed in the event. The festival, now in its fourth year features four races. On Saturday morning runners compete in a 10 Km trail run at McLain State Park, 10 miles northwest of Hancock, Michigan The course features trails winding along bluffs overlooking Lake Superior, forested trails to an inland lake, and several stretches of beach. A 2 km Kid's Trail Run follows the 10 km and features dirt and grass trails through forest and bluffs. Following the morning races runners enjoy a catered breakfast including many locally grown and organic foods. Saturday evening runners travel north to Eagle Harbor for the Hill Climb. Runners gather at the beach in this quaint Lake Superior hamlet for the start of a 5.8 km run to the summit of Mt. Lookout, a vertical climb of 821 ft. When participants reach the summit they are treated to panoramic views of all the Keweenaw's major peaks including Brockway Mountain, Mt. Bohemia, Mt. Gratiot, and Mt. Horace Greeley and the vast blueness of Lake Superior beyond. The race finishes at the summit so runners warm down on their descent. Runners can take a dip in Lake Superior and then enjoy a lasagna dinner at the Shoreline Café, on the beach in Eagle Harbor. Early on Sunday morning the hardiest runners toe the line for a hilly 25 km adventure on the reknowned Maasto Hiihto Trails in Hancock. The course includes over 1500 ft of climbing including trips in and out of the Swedetown Creek Gorge. Awards include locally crafted pottery, wild fruit jams made at a local monastery, locally harvested honey, and trail running gear from Patagonia, Montrail, Gregory, and Ultimate Designs. For more information visit downwindsports.com or call 906.482.2500.

Trail Runners: Run the U.P. Trail Series!

June 7. 10 Km Carl Olson Memorial Trail Run, Chassell, MI.July 12. 10 Km Keweenaw Trail Running Festival, McLain State Park, Hancock, MI.August 16. 11 Miles. John Hansen Memorial Trail Run. Gladstone, MI.September 20. 13.1 Miles Lake Superior Shore Trail Half Marathon. Marquette, MI.

To qualify runners must run three of four events. Points accumulated in each race qualify runners for awesome prizes from Patagonia and Montrail. Sponsored by Downwind Sports.

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