Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
SATURDAY's Yooperbeiner Showshoe Race attracts a variety of people happy to enjoy temperatures in the 20s after the area's prolonged, sub-zero cold spell. Participants began by heading west and returned down the slope shown behind them. The site was the Wolverine Nordic Ski Trail in Ironwood.
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood - Sunshine and mild weather drew more than 100 participants to Saturday's seventh annual Yooperbeiner Snowshoe Race at the Wolverine Nordic Ski Trail in Ironwood.
"Some people are really into the racing, and some are just doing it to have fun," said race director Sue Spaete, who was very much in demand at various locations before the event.
Overall men's and women's winners of the 10K race were Ironwood residents Larry Lapachin (1:02:13) and Stephanie Holloway (1:12:09). Nine persons competed in that race.
Overall men's and women's winners of the 5K race were Jeremy Sullivan of Ironwood (0:28:30) and Mackenzie Backman of Hurley (0:35:03). Eighty-two people competed in that race.
Nineteen children also enjoyed separate kid's races with divisions in Wolverines, Cubs, Kits and Pups. Those races ranged from one-half K to 2K.
Everyone seemed excited to be out on a pleasant day with temperatures in the 20s after emerging from last week's cold spell that took wind chills to the minus 40s and closed schools for several days.
Terry Kryshak of Bessemer was one of them. "God is looking out for us," he said, looking game for anything as he prepared to walk in the men's age 60-69 division.
According to Spaete, groups from places such as Ottawa National Forest and Aspirus Ironwood Hospital were encouraged to form groups with creative names.
Group names included the Gogebic County Cruisers; Plastic Snowshoes; Samson's Snow Patrol; and Not Fast, Just Flurries.
The fastest team was the Beiner Bombs from Luther L. Wright K-12 School, under the direction of physical education teacher Ceci Aho. Even Superintendent Travis Powell was among the group.
The Beiner Bombs, which had 16 members, also was among teams earning a traveling trophy for having the most members among large groups. The other two traveling trophy winners were Coleman Engineering Company, for smaller groups, and the Easy Striders and Friends in the friends and family division.
Race participants started from the Wolverine Chalet and followed the designated trail over to the hospital, where an aid station with refreshments and a medical representative were available.
They then continued an uphill trek and descended down a slope to close the loop back at the chalet, where a cozy wood stove awaited them.
Every participant's name was submitted in a drawing that included about 100 prizes. Spaete said prizes included airline tickets, snowshoes, a night of lodging, sweatshirts, a leather purse, gift cards for groceries and gasoline, and many other items.
Several people in the racing audience took photos, including Jacob Vallejo, who was operating a drone camera.
Ryon List, Dean of Instruction at Gogebic Community College, called Vallejo "a drone expert" who is helping the college to set up a drone race this spring.
Proceeds from Saturday's event will go to cover the costs of maintaining the Wolverine Ski Club's trails.
Spaete said additional funds come from trail users, who choose to pay either by the day or by the season. She said her husband, Dennis Spaete, is president of the 122-member club, and he also grooms the trails.
"It was a great day," Spaete said afterward. "What a gift." She said the weather was so comfortable that some participants removed their jackets along the route. She also expressed appreciation to Aspirus Ironwood for helping to sponsor the event.
The Wolverine Nordic Ski Trail is on Sunset Road, just east of Section 12 Road.
