December 16, 2010 – SISU Ski Fest organizing committee is pleased to announce its 42K marathon is now a qualifier for Hayward, Wisconsin’s legendary American Birkebeiner®. The significance of this recognition will draw more racers to the early season race to be held in Ironwood, MI this January 15, 2011. Racers can compete to get their qualifying time for wave placement in the Birkebeiner®, which will be cutting off registrations this year at 8,400 skiers. The SISU Ski Fest’s Heiki Lunta Half Marathon is also a Kortelopet Qualifier.
Also some course changes have been a focus for ABR Ski Trails owner Eric Anderson. “The start of the 42K is revised to be wider for a more friendly start. Basically the first 5K is up to 50 ft wide and no major climbs or descents. The first major climb is at about 5.5K, according to Eric.” Anderson also stated that they have eliminated 2 of the climbs and 2 of the descents from one of the more difficult loops. Other course improvements include the 21K has a very wide start and no major climbs until 3K. Both races have more spectator viewing areas for the first 1/2 K. The race start times are more spread out so the participants should not have difficulty passing other racers.
The Taste n Tour, sponsored by ABR, is a unique 10K tour is meant for people that want to get out on the SISU trail, participate in the festivities, but aren’t concerned about being timed. Completion by 5:00 p.m. and eating is the major goal for these participants. Taste n Tour is pleased to offer four delectable food stations including a dessert station. SISU committee members expect these registration numbers to climb over last year’s 100 participants. Thirteen restaurants are now sponsoring this event. They include Breakwater, The Pines, Brewster’s, Elk N Hound, Manny’s, Maplewood Steakhouse, Golden Dragon, Old Suffolk Ale House, Steep Creek Café, The Pastry Kitchen, Rigoni’s Bakery and moijakka for the marathon and half marathon participants is being supplied by Ben’s Place.
The race course will be shortened by one block, ending by the Ben Franklin store on Aurora Street. This will allow Suffolk Street to remain open and traffic to flow through the downtown. Strategic planning has been completed with signage and road closings to accommodate business owners. The alley ways downtown will remain open and parking will be available to consumers.
The NEW event this year is the Lapset Loppet (children’s race) sponsored by River Valley Bank. It will be held on Friday January 14 at ABR Ski Trails. Free 2K and 5K events will be start at 1:00 in the afternoon. The 2K is not timed for speed but is a fun event for the younger children, whereas the 5K is a timed event for the more competitive racers. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served and all participants will receive a finisher’s medallion.
Orvana Minerals Corp has come on board to sponsor the Heikki Lunta Half Marathon, and SISU is still searching for a sponsor for the full marathon. Visit our website listed below for details on becoming a sponsor.
Visit www.sisuskifest.com for more information or to register to become a volunteer. The first volunteer meeting will be held December 7 at 6:00pm at the Ironwood Memorial Building. If you are interested in having a booth at our event expo Friday and Saturday January 14-15, please contact Dona Coggins, expo coordinator at 906-663-4233.