You would be excused for not recognizing most of the faces at the Great Bear Chase this Saturday. Organizer Angela Luskin from UP Health System-Portage says about four in five of the competitors come from out of town.
Happening the week after the CopperDog150 sled dog race, it provides a late season economic benefit to the Keweenaw, as those participants will need lodging and accommodations at the very least. They will possibly shop and eat out while in town as well. Luskin says the area is now on the radar of Midwesterners far and wide for being the site of their final trail run of the year.
Registration is still open through Friday. Racers can take part in a skiathlon, combining freestyle and classic disciplines, or they can choose one or the other over various lengths.