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Competitors in the 2023 Norpine Fat Bike Classic couldn’t have asked for a better day to ride than race day, Saturday, January 7. With temperatures hovering in the low 20s and little wind, it was a great day to be outside on the wooded Norpine trails in Lutsen. Bot h races started and finished at Cascade Lodge.
Riders who entered the 20-mile-long race went out first, followed by entrants in the 14-mile race.
20-mile race
All told, 33 riders, 30 men, and three women raced the 20-mile event. Placing first was Jacob Olsen, 30, of Roseville. Jacob beat Chase Sams, age 18, of Duluth, by 12 seconds, crossing the finish line in 1:35:28.
The top local finisher was Max Wahlers, age 60, of Grand Marais. Max placed 13th with a time of 2:06:34. Patrick Pawlowski, 30, of Grand Marais, placed 25th with a time of 2:34:53.
Lauren Keil of Duluth took top honors for the women. Lauren placed 8th overall, finishing in 2:06:11. Lindsey Lee, 33, Duluth, was second with a time of 2:06:47, and Chalin Walters, 37, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, was the third women finisher with a time of 2:24:16.
The average finishing time for the long race was two hours, 16 minutes and 49 seconds.
14-mile race
Taking first place in the 14-mile race was Derek Vanslyke, 28, of Duluth in 1:13:31. Derek just edged fellow Duluthian Michael Torchia, 34, by one second.
Cook County High School Cross Country running and Track and Field Coach April Wahlstrom, 39, Grand Marais, was the women’s winner and top local finisher. April placed 8th, crossing the finish line in 1:25:11. She beat her husband, Tom Wahlstrom, 41, by two seconds.
Jonathan Hedstrom, 44, Grand Marais, placed 19th with a time of 1:42:52. Reilly Wahlers, 21, Grand Marais, was the sixth woman across the line in 1:49:14. Thomas McAleer, Lutsen, 49, placed 28th with a time of 1:59:50.
There were 33 competitors in the 14-mile event, 24 men and nine women. The average finishing time was 1:39:02.
For those who didn’t want to race, riders registered for a daytime, untimed tour so they could experience the trails in a non-competitive venue.
Following the races, an awards ceremony and after-race party was held at Cascade Restaurant & Pub.
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