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Joann Fortier wins Midnight Run

Joann Fortier of downstate Gaylord is congratulated after winning this year’s Midnight Run, which began on Friday in Marquette and finished on Saturday at the Ojibwa Casino in Harvey. Her husband, Larry, finished second. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)

HARVEY — The husband-and-wife team of Joann and Larry Fortier of downstate Gaylord finished first and second, respectively, at this year’s Midnight Run.

The race began on Friday in downtown Marquette and headed to Chatham, but instead of the usual finish on Saturday at Mattson Lower Harbor Park, it ended at the Ojibwa Casino in Harvey.

Organizers of the race had been trying to shorten the route back down to 90 miles.

Fortier finished the race at about 9:47 a.m. Saturday, with her husband only about two minutes behind. Mike Bestgen of St. Cloud, Minnesota, was third.

“It was awesome,” Joann Fortier said of the trail. “There wasn’t a huge snowstorm before the race. The trail was beautiful. You couldn’t ask for a better trail. It was nice, hard-packed, had a nice bottom to it. It was fun. I love to get the feel of the woods.”

Susan Serafini of Hancock was the winner of the Jack Pine 30 in Gwinn. Jerry Trudell of Calumet was second, followed by Jesse Quayle of Champion in third.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.

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