The following was taken from the Northern Wilds.
Get Some Winter While We Still Have It With Arrowhead 135!
INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. -- While another wimpy Winter of 2013 has put other traditional events in jeopardy scrambling for changes, the human-propelled race up north is full-speed ahead. An expected 135 runners, cyclists and skiers representing six countri...es and 21 states will arrive in Minnesota's Northland next week for the ninth running of Arrowhead 135. Labeled as one of the World's Top 50 Challenging Endurance Races in several publications, with a finish rate historically less than 50 percent, the race starts on Monday, January 28th, at 7AM in International Falls to avoid weekend snowmobile traffic. Finishers have until late Wednesday to complete the course.
"Despite current snow-stingy trail conditions, the 135-mile race from the nation's "Ice Box," International Falls, to Fortune Bay near Tower, Minn., along Arrowhead State Trail has a full roster filled with the best yet in competitive winter ultra athletes," said director and race veteran Dave Pramann. "We have six returning champions in the cycling category and three in the running event, we've become the winter endurance race to shoot for in the lower 48."
"Traditionally, the Arrowhead 135 has seen the coldest days and nights of the year in Minnesota, with minus 30 to minus 40F common on the rugged race route," said Pramann. "Simply finishing is a major accomplishment and the race has become a legend in the world ultra racing community, 2012 was hopefully an anomaly with temps largely above zero but we're hoping for something far colder and better to showcase northern Minnesota at its finest."
Alaskans cyclists Jeff Oatley and Kevin Breitenbach promise to challenge fast Minnesotans, Shakopee's Dan Dittmer, Ben Doom of St. Cloud with Duluthians Todd McFadden and Jason Buffington putting the Arrowhead fat bike cycling championship up for grabs. On the women's side its a toss-up with several rookies looking to compete for the win, Colorado's Jill Hueckman, Allison Kelley from Grand Forks and veteran racer Duluth's Leah Gruhn promising excitement.
All bets are off on the running side with past champions John Storkamp out of Hastings, Minn., and Eric Johnson from Ogden, Utah, trading footsteps with several fast rookies. The women's event is up for grabs.
Skiers, as usual in this race, might find the sketchiest conditions in sparse snow and seasonal logging trail sections, but nature has a way bringing last-minute weather surprises, and trail conditions can change in a hurry.
Pramann, from Burnsville, Minn., limits the field to 135 racers for logistical and safety reasons." Racers must carry all survival gear rated to sub-zero temperatures to be self-sufficient," Pramann said. "For 2013, the race roster filled within a couple days of opening with a big waiting list, proving a lot of folks are up for new athletic challenges, and grabbing real Minnesota winter while we still can."
Like the race website says, "If it was easy, anybody could do it," and "don't expect Mommy to rescue you."
All proceeds from the Arrowhead go to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation providing college scholarships to killed and wounded US Spec Ops Soldiers, and to the local Minnesota Safe Families Organization, providing short-term respite to young infants and children in need.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. -- While another wimpy Winter of 2013 has put other traditional events in jeopardy scrambling for changes, the human-propelled race up north is full-speed ahead. An expected 135 runners, cyclists and skiers representing six countri...es and 21 states will arrive in Minnesota's Northland next week for the ninth running of Arrowhead 135. Labeled as one of the World's Top 50 Challenging Endurance Races in several publications, with a finish rate historically less than 50 percent, the race starts on Monday, January 28th, at 7AM in International Falls to avoid weekend snowmobile traffic. Finishers have until late Wednesday to complete the course.
"Despite current snow-stingy trail conditions, the 135-mile race from the nation's "Ice Box," International Falls, to Fortune Bay near Tower, Minn., along Arrowhead State Trail has a full roster filled with the best yet in competitive winter ultra athletes," said director and race veteran Dave Pramann. "We have six returning champions in the cycling category and three in the running event, we've become the winter endurance race to shoot for in the lower 48."
"Traditionally, the Arrowhead 135 has seen the coldest days and nights of the year in Minnesota, with minus 30 to minus 40F common on the rugged race route," said Pramann. "Simply finishing is a major accomplishment and the race has become a legend in the world ultra racing community, 2012 was hopefully an anomaly with temps largely above zero but we're hoping for something far colder and better to showcase northern Minnesota at its finest."
Alaskans cyclists Jeff Oatley and Kevin Breitenbach promise to challenge fast Minnesotans, Shakopee's Dan Dittmer, Ben Doom of St. Cloud with Duluthians Todd McFadden and Jason Buffington putting the Arrowhead fat bike cycling championship up for grabs. On the women's side its a toss-up with several rookies looking to compete for the win, Colorado's Jill Hueckman, Allison Kelley from Grand Forks and veteran racer Duluth's Leah Gruhn promising excitement.
All bets are off on the running side with past champions John Storkamp out of Hastings, Minn., and Eric Johnson from Ogden, Utah, trading footsteps with several fast rookies. The women's event is up for grabs.
Skiers, as usual in this race, might find the sketchiest conditions in sparse snow and seasonal logging trail sections, but nature has a way bringing last-minute weather surprises, and trail conditions can change in a hurry.
Pramann, from Burnsville, Minn., limits the field to 135 racers for logistical and safety reasons." Racers must carry all survival gear rated to sub-zero temperatures to be self-sufficient," Pramann said. "For 2013, the race roster filled within a couple days of opening with a big waiting list, proving a lot of folks are up for new athletic challenges, and grabbing real Minnesota winter while we still can."
Like the race website says, "If it was easy, anybody could do it," and "don't expect Mommy to rescue you."
All proceeds from the Arrowhead go to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation providing college scholarships to killed and wounded US Spec Ops Soldiers, and to the local Minnesota Safe Families Organization, providing short-term respite to young infants and children in need.
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