MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Noquemanon Ski Marathon hit the trails this weekend for a successful event.
Weather made the courses a little hard to deal with this year due to recent thawing that’s hit Marquette. Trails had to be rerouted and/or shortened due to the hazardous conditions trail groomers faced.
“If it weren’t for the people who support the Noquemanon trail network then we wouldn’t be having a race today,” said Alex Petrin, Dome coordinator for the Noquemanon Ski Marathon. “We’re functionally using all of the Noquemanon trail network for this race.”
Due to conditions the 50K and the 24K where shortened to 23K and the 12K was shortened to a 10K. All races were moved from their starting positions at Al Quaal Recreational Area, to Forestville (12K and 24K) or 510 Rd (50K).
Although the original trail map may have been changed, racers still made their way to the marathon. Noquemanon ended up getting 1,383 participants signed up, including 131 in the junior league and 33 founders, racers who have participated in every race in the marathon.
“It’s a great environment with great people, and a great place to be” said Petrin.
Noquemanon Ski Marathon started Saturday morning around 6a.m and will wrap up around 5p.m. Saturday evening.
