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The Back 9 Endurance Run applications are open, and those who are interested are encouraged to apply and begin training.
Held for the third year in a row, the event will be held at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Either participate as a team of 2 or 4, or by yourself.
Participants will run on the designated “Back 9 Loop” that is roughly 3.5 miles long for as long as they can. They may take breaks or switch with others if they are in a team as needed.
The endurance run offers either a 12 hour or a 24 hour run option, and acts primarily as a race to beat your own record.
“We kind of promote the sense of trying to become better every year, and trying to beat your own records every year” – Back 9 Endurance Run Race Director, Amy Bory
The endurance run is for runners of all levels.
“[the event aims to] draw people who are seeking to improve their performance by challenging themselves, and nature a little bit, but mostly themselves by running through the wilderness, running on the trails, running in the dark, and you know. In May in the UP, you know, snow could be a possibility, rain could be a possibility, it could be as warm as Miami, Florida I guess, probably not, but you know all those things are factors, and [the race founder] thought that would be the most challenging part of the run is just facing nature, [and] facing your own challenges.” – Back 9 Endurance Run Race Director, Amy Bory
Keweenaw mountain lodge is the headquarters of the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, so it is necessary to bring a headlamp with a red light setting to help avoid light pollution. It is also highly recommended that individuals bring layers of clothing for all types of weather.
Bory encourages people to start training so you can race against yourself. She advises to begin small, and slowly adding more, like starting to walk around the block once, then twice, then once you’re walking around the block about 10 times, throw in running for a block, then run for 2 blocks.
Registration for the run is open, and closes the morning of the run, on May 27th.
Click here for more information on the website.
