Preparations continue for Noquemanon Ski Marathon

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MARQUETTE - Hordes of skiers in brightly colored spandex are making Marquette County their destination for the weekend of Jan. 24 for the 11th annual Noquemanon Ski Marathon.

Marquette General Health System sponsors the Noque; also held that day will be the Bank Half Noque.

The 51- and 25-kilometer races have become a staple of Marquette winter activity and conditions this year are looking "phenomenal," according to Noquemanon Trail Network officials.

"It (the trail conditions) may be the best we've ever had - extraordinary," said Race Director Jon Mommaerts. "It's just the tons of snow and cold temperatures all the way. We've got a good base all the way into town."

The snow base is about 8 inches, he said.

The good conditions are thanks to 24 continuous days of snowfall in December, resulting in almost two full months of trail grooming.

The two Noque races have been drawing more than 1,000 racers in recent years, and current registration seems to be on track to meet that number. Two weeks out from the race, there are 800 racers registered, with skiers being drawn from Marquette County, the Upper Peninsula, as well as the surrounding states and Canada, Mommaerts said.

Perfect race day conditions would include sunshine, no wind and temperatures around 25 degrees, Mommaerts said. Conditions are even more important for race volunteers, who stand outside all day, than for the skiers.

"We don't want any extreme temperatures," he said. "The skiers can take any weather," because of their constant activity.

Those interested in participating can register by a variety of methods: by calling 906-370-RACE; picking up a registration form from an area ski shop or by visiting www.noquemanon.com; or at the Ski Expo on Jan. 23 at the Superior Dome in Marquette.

The races, beginning in Ishpeming and ending at the Superior Dome, provide challenging courses through Marquette County, with some small changes this year.

A new, rerouted section of trail between the 21K and 24K markers due to logging activity has been added for this year only. A permanent change is a rerouted section around one of two ponds between the 8 and 9K marks has also been added.

Saturday's grooming report for the trail network listed that the Noquemanon Trail had been groomed from the 3K to the 19K trail mark and from Forestville up to the 25K mark near County Road 510. Skiers were warned to watch out for logging trucks and sand near the bypass.