Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
The 40th Annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon was once again, a huge success.
A record breaking 866 skiers, some as far as Idaho and New York, came out to the Swedetown Trails in Calumet, to compete.
Conditions were perfect and since 80% of the participants are from out of town, the local economy got a big boost as well.
Winners in the 50km Skiathlon were Brian Gregg and Caitlinn Gregg, from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Winners in the 50km Classic were Eric Patterson from Duluth Minnesota and Elspeth Ronnander from St. Paul Minnesota.
Top spots in the 50km Freestyle went to Zach Nelson of St. Paul, Minnesota and Anna Engel from Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
Winners in the 25km Classic were Houghton’s own Cedric Keller and Jane Straka from Nashotah, WI.This was Straka’s second win in a row.
Taking the prize for the 25km Freestyle were Charlie Grabow and Inga Wing, both from Minneapolis.
The winners for the 10km Classic were Andrew Pillifant from Ishpeming and Leeandra Bruggink from Marquette.
Wrapping up with the winners from the 10km Freestyle were Noah Erickson from Wyoming, Minnesota and Anne Straka from Nashotah, Wisconsin.
Other local competitors included Jill Moyryla from Calumet, Jaden Serafin from Houghton, Robin Kisiel from Chassell, along with Stephen Eles and Hunter Dercks from Houghton.
If all goes well, the money raised from this race, should pay off the trail groomer, which was used to have the course in perfect shape.
A complete rundown of the race can be found here.
