Highlights
Midwest MTB Report
September 16, 2021As the air gets cooler and the leaves start turning shades of yellow, orange, and red, some of the best riding of the year is on tap for the next month or so. Also on tap: a recap from the rescheduled MNMBS race at Lester Park, a preview of the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival happening this weekend, and several cycling related items as racing starts to wind down in the Midwest—all included in this week's Midwest MTB report from Jay Richards.
CXC Rollerski Cup: NorthShore Inline Marathon
September 14, 2021The third annual CXC Rollerski Cup wraps up this weekend with the NorthShore Inline Marathon events. Friday features a freestyle sprint event and then Saturday are 21K and 42K freestyle races.
SISU Ski Fest Planning In-Person Races this January
September 7, 2021The SISU Ski Fest in Ironwood, MI, is planning in-person races this January, and has been making improvements in the events including a widened start area and new "Finnish" line in downtown Ironwood. Registration opens Oct 1st.
Gear West: Gearwestern Half Marathon and 5K on Oct 16
September 5, 2021Register is open for the Gearwestern Half Marathon and 5K, hosted by Gear West and featuring the quiet backroads and trails in Long Lake.
CXC Rollerski Cup: Grinding Up Granite this Sunday
September 5, 2021The third annual CXC Rollerski Cup will be making its next stop in Wausau with the Grinding Up Granite Race, set to take place on Sunday, Sept 12th. Grind up Granite will feature classic and skate race options to race to the top of Rib Mountain with a total climb of 700 feet in 2.5 miles.
US Ski Team: Riding, Running, Roller Skiing, and Racing
August 27, 2021Members of the US Ski team continue their summer prep for the upcoming FIS World Cup and Olympic season with a mix of gym time, trail running, mountain biking, and roller skiing. Toss in a few victories and a course record along the way, and so far the summer has been very rewarding.
Vasaloppet: Swedish Mile Set for Oct 9th
August 27, 2021The Vasaloppet's Swedish Mile returns with a fall festival format on Oct 9th. This year's event features a 10K trail race, 5K Fun Run, Kid's Races, and food, drink, and lots of fall-focused activities for the whole family around the Vasaloppet Nordic Center with proceeds supporting snowmaking and operations.
US Biathlon Summer Championships Recap
August 11, 2021With the 2021-2022 season fast approaching, the 2021 US Biathlon Summer Championships served as the first round of qualifying for international racing, and for some, the first step toward Olympic qualification. A full recap of the event is brought to us by Luke Brown.
Up, Up and Away Classic Rollerski Race this Saturday
August 10, 2021The CXC Rollerski Cup continues this Saturday, Aug 14th, with the Up, Up and Away classic rollerski race uphill at Blue Mound State Park in Wisconsin. The event features additional rollerski divisions, as well as a running race.
Borah Epic Donated to American Birkebeiner
August 5, 2021After nine years, the Borah Foundation is passing ownership of the Borah Epic to the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.
Machinery Hill Rollerski Criterium Results
August 4, 2021The CXC Rollerski Cup opened up on Tuesday evening with racing action on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Machinery Hill. The men's open race came down to a photo finish between Brian Gregg and Magnus Boee, Gregg taking the victory, with Adrik Kraftson not far behind in third. The women's open race saw Inga Wing pull away from the field to win by almost seven seconds over Greta Hansen with Elsa Bergman third. In the combined U16 boys, masters men, youngster Daniel McCollor edged out veteran Torry Kraftson for the title, with Jacob Kensy taking third. Results posted, plus video from Caitlin Gregg.
Birkie Lumberjack Run in Hayward this Saturday
July 28, 2021The Birkie Lumberjack 5K Run returns this Saturday, July 31st, to the Lumberjack World Championships Festival. Popular with Midwest skiers, the event rolls through backstreets in south Hayward, starting and finishing at the historic Lumberjack bowl.
Midwest MTB Report
July 27, 2021August is just around the corner, but the weather stays the same: hot and dry. With the same consistency, Jay Richards checks in with another Midwest MTB Report—this one featuring a recap from the MNMBS race at Mount Kato, a brief highlight of the mountain bike events in the Olympics, a peak at the new trails in Cuyuna, and a look ahead to some upcoming events.
Loppet Rollerski Criterium at Machinery Hill Aug 3rd
July 26, 2021The Loppet Foundation is hosting the CXC Rollerski Series kickoff event on Tuesday, August 3rd at Machinery Hill on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds! The event will use matched pair rollerskis with a limited set available so register now!
CXC Rollerski Cup Expands to Five Events
July 25, 2021The CXC Rollerski Cup series will have five events this season, kicking off on August 3rd in the Twin Cities. The series will have additional stops in Blue Mound, Wausau, and Duluth.
Midwest MTB Report
July 13, 2021With the halfway point of the summer fast approaching approaching, Jay Richards reports on racing action from across the country—from the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Winter Park, CO, to series racing action back up in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Also included in this week's Midwest MTB Report: a few interesting related items, along with the usual upcoming events.
Shoreline Sprints Recap
July 13, 2021A very competitive field turned out Saturday for the inaugural Shoreline Sprints rollerski races in Rice Lake, WI. Hosted by Out There, with numerous contributing sponsors, the event featured some fast racing by elite athletes. Victories were earned by Zak Ketterson and Nichole Bathe. Check out the full results plus photos and videos from the event, as well as plans for next year!
Birkie Trail Run Hosts National Championships
July 7, 2021The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has announced that the Birkie Trail Run half marathon, part of Birkie Trail Run Festival events, has once again been named the USA Track and Field (USATF) Half Marathon Trail Championship. The Birkie Trail Run weekend is Sept 24-25, with registration now open.
Team Birkie Reborn
July 2, 2021The Loppet Foundation, CXC Skiing and the American Birkebeiner announce the formation of a new, elite racing team for the Midwest, Team Birkie. Caitlin Gregg will be the head coach for the squad that initially will include Zak Ketterson, Christian Gostout, Julie Ensrud, Amanda Kautzer, and more.
Shoreline Rollerski Sprints Schedule Posted
June 29, 2021Just over 10 days away, the big Shoreline Sprints rollerski races, hosted by Out There shop, now have a detailed schedule posted. There are still some openings for elite/pro skiers to get in on the action. And plan to come out and cheer them on July 10th!
Shoreline Rollerski Sprints in Rice Lake Coming July 10th!
June 15, 2021Out There shop has announced a pro-level rollerski event coming to Rice Lake on July 10th. Over $5000 in payouts is being offered, with the races being held on an 800 meter course along the Rice Lake shoreline. Open to elite/pro-level skiers and biathletes, register now! Spectators strongly encouraged.
Chippewa Triathlon Results
June 12, 2021Beautiful weather on Saturday brought out a nice field for the annual Chippewa Triathlon in Cass Lake. Solo titles were earned by Mike Brumbaugh and Janele Shepard, Doubles victories for John Kallemeyn and Maria Janowiak. The 2-4 person relay title went to Fighting Squirrels (Mark Morrissy, Kim Carroll, Louis Morrissey, Mike Meehlhause).
Midwest MTB Report
June 8, 2021Despite an early heat wave in place making for an extra challenge when riding and racing, there is still plenty to cover in this week's Midwest MTB Report from Jay Richards. Featured are highlights from both the Borah EPIC and race #3 of the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series, a couple mountain bike related items, and a look ahead.
US Ski Team: Diggins Honored With Overall Athlete Of the Year Award
June 7, 2021Jessie Diggins was honored by U.S. Ski & Snowboard with its Beck International Award as overall athlete of the year. Diggins was one of eight athletes recognized for their accomplishments in the 2020-21 season. It was her third time winning the overall athlete honor.
Seeley Hills, Birkie Tour Breakup
June 6, 2021An early update to the 2021-22 season calendar, the American Birkebeiner has split the pairing of the Birkie Tour and Seeley Hills Classic events into separate weekends. Birkie Tour will be Jan 15th while the Seeley Hills Classic is set for Jan 29th. Registration is now open for both events.
Borah Epic Coverage
June 5, 2021On a very hot early June day in Hayward, riders hit the course to compete in the annual Borah Epic. In the full Epic, Daxton Mock took the victory in 2:36:34 with Pavel Nelson second, Logan Schlough third. Courtenay Mcfadden raced to the women's top time at 3:08:25 with Elaina Griffiths second and Kenzie Statz third. Titles in the half Epic went to John Kubiak and Lyllie Sonnemann. Long gravel champions were Luke Beirl and Sabine Furlong, while short gravel winners were Kim Neitzel and Rob Weum. We've got photos from the full Borah Epic by Jackie Schneider!
World Cup Returns to Midwest in 2024
June 4, 2021FIS released a long-term planning calendar that tentatively awards Minnesota and Wisconsin with World Cup events in 2024! The Loppet Foundation could get a second chance after Covid halted the 2020 World Cup, with Theodore Wirth possibly hosting three events, and then the World Cup would move to Hayward for two more possible races, coinciding the 50th anniversary of the Birkie.
Midwest MTB Report
June 2, 2021With summer riding conditions in full swing and much warmer weather in the forecast, this week's Midwest MTB Report from Jay Richards covers racing action from over the Memorial Day weekend, including Enduro events on the Copper Harbor Trails, along with other news from Copper Harbor and additional coverage of upcoming races and events from around the Midwest.
Mighty Miss Paddle Coming Aug 14th
June 2, 2021The Mighty Miss Paddle, offering a 55 mile relay/paddle, 25 mile, and 12 mile race/tour will return this summer on the Mississippi River starting in St. Cloud, Monticello, or Elk River with all finishing at Two Rivers Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.
Midwest MTB Report
May 25, 2021Jay Richards' Midwest MTB Report returns with coverage of greasy racing conditions for race #2 in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series, in addition to information on "Ride The Range", details on IMBA's Trail Accelerator grant, the impact of mountain biking on nature, and a look ahead to the Wisconsin Mountain Bike Endurance Series.
CityTrail Loppet Coverage
May 23, 2021Temps in the 70s and humid conditions for the 2021 edition of the CityTrail Loppet on Sunday. The loop courses, due to covid, stretched through south Wirth around Brownie Lake, adding Cedar Lake for the 10K runners, before winding back along the east side of south Wirth to finish near Wirth Beach. Zak Ketterson powered to the men's 10K top time, running just under 38 minutes. Aaron Bartnik finished second, Brian Gregg was third. Becca Loman finished just under 44 minutes for the women's best time, Renae Anderson second and Caitlin Gregg third.