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Noquemanon ski marathon

Weather forces changes

A skier approaches the finish line at the Superior Dome in the 2015 Noquemanon Ski Marathon. This year’s races on Saturday will finish at the Forestville Trailhead in Marquette Township instead of the Superior Dome because the crew had to make some last-minute changes to the course and start times due to warmer than normal temperatures the region has experienced. (Photo courtesy of MQT photo)

MARQUETTE — Warmer than expected weather conditions may have forced some last-minute changes to the Noquemanon Ski Marathon, but organizers are more determined than ever to continue the 19-year Marquette County tradition.

Ishpeming’s Al Quaal Recreation Area had originally been the planned start of all of the 50 kilometer races but upon inspecting the course Wednesday, race organizers found some melting snow and mud as well as some damage caused by a snowmobiler at the end of the trail, chief of the NSM course Jon Mommaerts said.

“We could hold the full marathon with a 2 to 3 inches of fresh snowfall and freezing temperatures. However, this has not happened and the snowfall is now not likely to amount to much of anything. We needed this weather improvement by right now to mobilize our manpower and equipment to make the trail skiable and safe,” Mommaerts said.

Since the situation is not likely to improve overnight, Mommaerts said the racecourse will be moved to the Noquemanon Trail Network and will start at the 510 Plum Creek start line in Negaunee Township and will end at the Forestville Trailhead in Marquette Township.

“We will then have the opportunity to snake through some of the trails in our Forestville system, which has held very good conditions, to add some distance,” Mommaerts said. “We will try to push the finish as far as we can, given course conditions and the availability of fresh snow to haul in.”

A racer is seen along the Noquemanon Ski Marathon trail. (Photo courtesy of MQT photo)

Noquemanon Race Coordinator Nicole Dewald said due to limited space at the Plum Creek trailhead, there is no room for spectators at the starting line and all racers will need to be bused from the Superior Dome in Marquette.

As of Friday last week, Dewald said 861 racers had signed up for the event, but registration is open until Saturday.

“Numbers are holding strong with an expected outcome of 1,100 racers,” Dewald said.

The Noque Facebook page contains detailed information on the changes in the race course and times, and how it will affect both participants and spectators.

The committee estimates that there are roughly 100 available parking spots at the Forestville trailhead, and spectators are urged not to drive to the area if at all possible to allow volunteers and adaptive ski participants a place to park.

A racer is seen along the Noquemanon Ski Marathon trail. (Photo courtesy of MQT photo)

“The safety of participants depends on emergency vehicles gaining access to this area,” the post states. “Adaptive skiers and any helpers should consider driving and parking at Forestville however. We cannot guarantee parking so you may want to arrive early.”

Every year between 800 and 1,200 skiers, snowshoers, snow bikers and skijoring enthusiasts participate in more than a dozen events on Marquette County trail systems.

The 50k races have been reduced to 31K due to course conditions, 24K distance will be reduced to 23K, and the 12K race distance has been increased to 14K.

“Race distances have been extended utilizing the Forestville trail system, which has held very good conditions throughout the long period of unseasonable warm weather. Skiers will find the courses beautiful, challenging, and of course equally enjoyable. The 12K skiers will need to go an additional 2K due to the ski trails being used … — this is a big change for this group,” the Facebook post stated.

There are no changes to the Junior Noquemanon on Friday evening.

Dewald said volunteers are a big part of what makes the race a Marquette County premier skiing event, and with the changes to the course they become even more necessary to the event.

“Year in and year out our volunteers have been there supporting our skiers in all types of weather, wearing costumes, playing music and making the day great. Each year, the skiers overwhelming admire the spirit our community shows,” Dewald said.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including packet pick-up, race table, bag pick-up, finish line back-up timers, race receipt printers, finish line hosts, aid station attendent as well as many more.

Saturday schedule:

– 7 a.m. — Busing starts for participants from the Superior Dome to the starting line.

– 8:30 a.m. through 11 a.m. — All 50K (31K) events begin.

– 11:45 through 2:10 p.m. — All 12K (14K) and 24K (23K) events begin.

– 1:02 p.m. — The 15 mile (14.3 mile) snowshoe wave begins.

– 2 p.m. — Freestyle men’s and women’s 12K(14K) race begins.

– 2:10 p.m. — Classic men’s and women’s 12K(14K) race begins.

– 3 p.m. — Adaptive race begins

The awards ceremony for the Noquemanon, Half Noque, 15 Mile Snowshoe, 12k Ski and Sit Ski will be held at the Superior Dome in Marquette at 5 p.m., but may be delayed by up to 60 minutes due to race start times being pushed back.

Sunday schedule:

All Sunday events start at the Forestville trailhead.

– 9 a.m. — 10K Animoosh Skijor begins. Racers go off in 30 second intervals.

– 10 a.m. — 20K Snow Bike begins with a mass start.

– 10 a.m. — 10K Snowshoe/5K Snowshoe begin.

– At noon or as soon as results are available awards will begin at the NTN Forestville Trailhead.

A complete updated schedule of events can be found at noquemanon.com/schedule/.

The top prize for the 50K Classic race on Saturday is $1,000, second place will garner $500 and the third place winner will win $250, according to the event website.

Noquemanon Race Director Jason Rolling said the event, which is sponsored by UP Health Systems, Frei Chevrolet and mBank, is an excellent way to showcase the Marquette County to athletes and spectators alike.

“The UPHS Noquemanon Ski Marathon is important to racers coming to Marquette County because it is not only a way for them to push themselves athletically but also they are able to bring their families on a vacation and experience everything Marquette County has to offer. There are a great number of families that come to vacation in Marquette County in the summer and other seasons, simply because they had such a great experience during the Noquemanon,” Rolling said.

For more information on volunteer opportunities for Noquemanon go to signup.com/go/beAYCc or signup.com/go/uYNLLz for volunteer opportunities during the Junior Noquemanon.

Athletes who would like to register for the race can go to noquemanon.com/register.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-486-4401. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net

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