Above: The Lutsen 99er mountain bike race had a 99-mile and 39-mile event on Saturday, June 23. Both races ended with a tough uphill climb to the finish line. Patrick Sheedy was the first one across the finish line in the 39er. Sheedy finished in 2:27:40.15. Right: Both races started at Bridge Run at Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill, following a pace car down the Ski Hill Road, along Highway 61 and up the Caribou Trail. On the Caribou Trail, the pace car pulled off and the race was on!
Word spread after the inaugural Lutsen 99er, about the 99 miles of challenging roads and trails, hills and ridgelines overlooking Lake Superior. From about 100 racers last year, the 2012 Lutsen 99er event grew to over 400 racers on Saturday, June 23.
There were 191 racers in the 99-mile course, which includes a Category 3 climb. The 39er course saw even more bicyclists taking the challenge with 240 racers. Racers came from Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas, and Canada.
One of the race organizers, Paul Nordlund of Lutsen, was especially impressed with the number of local people who participated— as course volunteers and as racers. There were 31 local riders in the 39er and five local racers in the 99er. Of the 30 podium finishes in the Lutsen 39er, nine went to Cook County racers. A feat especially impressive, said Nordahl, because many of the local riders had never raced before!
One of those first-time racers was Tom Wahlstrom of Tofte who finished 4th overall with a time of 2:33:54.46 in the Lutsen 39er. Wahlstrom placed second in his division, 30 – 39 year old males. His wife, April Wahlstrom, the Cook County High School track coach, also finished second in her division, females 20-29.
John Alt of Grand Marais, in his second 39er, also finished first in his division, males 50-59, with a time of 2:38:28.55. Another podium finisher was Chris Hegg of Grand Marais who finished second in the males 60 and over division; Chris was also a firsttime mountain bike racer. Hegg finished in 3:02:47.49.
Ailee Larson of Lutsen was first in her division, females 14–19 with a time of 4:33:40.0. Kerrie Fabius of Grand Marais returned to the 39er and improved her time and place. She finished 5th in her age division last year and this year was the top finisher in the female 30 – 39 division, knocking 5.21.03 off her time to finish in 2:39.16.4 this year.
The top placing local racer in the Lutsen 99er was Jim Joynes of Duluth and Grand Marais with a time of 7:31:51:81. Others in the 99er were Cory Berg of Grand Marais, with a time of 7:57:00.57; John Twiest of Grand Marais with a time of 8:52:52.74; Mike Larson of Lutsen—another first time racer, with a time of 10:13:20.9; and Tim Joe McGrath, finishing in 1031:09.0.
Left: Tom Wahlstrom of Tofte finished 4th overall in the 39er and second in his age group, 30 – 39-year-old males. Wahlstrom finished in 2:33:54.46. Right: John Alt of Grand Marais had an excellent time of 2:38:38.55, finishing first in his division, males 50 – 59.
Nordlund said the crew with Life Time Fitness, chief sponsors of the Lutsen 99er were impressed with the athleticism of the community. He predicts there will be more next year. “The people who didn’t do it this year are now saying, ‘I’m going to start training!’”
The 2013 Lutsen 99er event will be moved to the last weekend in June. On June 29, the 99- and 39-mile races will once again be offered, as well as kids’ races, dubbed the Junior Niner, Mini Niner and Micro Niner, ranging from .49 mile for 5 – 7 year olds to 1.9 miles for ages 11 -13.
Registration is already open for the Lutsen 99er. Visit www.lutsen99er.com for more information. And start training now!
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