I have had the privilege of being a part of this event – as a racer from 2014 through 2021 and as a part of the race organization since 2022 – for a while. Getting to learn, first hand and over the past four editions, the amount of work that a VAST number of folks do voluntarily for nearly 11.50 months spinning many little and so not so little wheels for ONE BIG WHEEL to turn well for a few…
After a disappointing DNF in 2025 – my only one so far in cross country skiing and I had no one but myself hold accountable for it, my primary goal for the 2026 edition involved something I had done several times before … complete both the 29 km Kortelopet and 53 (or 55) km Birkie … except switch the order of events: 53 km Birkie Classic on Wednesday during Open Track and 29 km Kortelopet on Friday and volunteer on…
After skipping the 2024 and 2025 editions (not enough snow and the events were canceled), I signed up for these events only a few days ago … chats with and subtle hints from Stephen doing the trick for Pre-Birkie. For some of my Winters, Pre-Birkie and North End Classic (or the Wolf Tracks Rendezvous and North End Classic OR Vasaloppet and North End Classic) have been the first test of my ability to sustain sufficiently long and hard efforts on back…
After skipping the 2025 edition (not enough snow and the event was canceled), I signed up not long after the registration opened up. For a vast majority of my cross country skiing Winters, Noquemanon has served as the second family reunion and the second real race atmosphere to put to test newly acquired skills, get a measure of improvements since the SISU Ski Fest and continue taking stock of things that need to be worked on. It was no different…
After having missed the last three editions for various reasons (Michigan Tech was hosting the US Cross Country Ski National Championships in 2023, and not enough snow in 2024 and 2025), I signed up not long after the registration opened up. For a vast majority of my cross country skiing Winters, SISU has served as the first of many mini family reunions. It has provided the first real race atmosphere to put to test newly acquired skills and take stock…