Noquemanon 50K Race Course Update October 31, 2016
Consider this, a race committee that listens to your requests and makes it their yearly goal to implement changes for the better. That is what you have when you look at the UPHS Noquemanon Ski Marathon race committee course crew. In order to make it happen for the winter race, they must envision and implement during the summer and the fall. Here is a sneak peak of the recent improvements. Can you tell where they are? Take a look and envision your race.
First, there is a new 3k loop at the start of the race, this is part of the FIS and NCAA race loops. It was designed to be wider and help give racers more room to maneuver the starting crowds. The start will be in the same location and direction, however skiers will head east towards Teal Lake, and then loop back towards the starting line where they will be cheered on by the Ishpeming crowd just prior to heading back on the historical Noque race trail. Photos to come of this new route.
To even out the distance, we have eliminated approximately 3km in the Granite Point area. Heavy equipment carved a brand new cut off of Granite Point. This new section is wider, and much more skier friendly than our historical route and eliminates most if not all of the challenging technical downhills! This re-route will also require less snow and offer a premier grooming opportunity. The photos below to the left show some of these changes in the Granite Point area nearest to County Road 510.
Last year the skiing experience was the best we have ever had, despite low snow conditions. This upcoming race should be another large step towards creating the race trail we have always envisioned. We are very confident that you will enjoy the 2017 race course improvements!
See you in January.
The Race Committee