Skating along

Have skates, will travel. Which is exactly what the over 300 participants did over half and full marathon distances in the thirteenth annual Apostle Islands Inline Marathon held on Madeline Island on June 15. The inline skate event was a tremendous success, according to Ashland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marty McPhetridge, who noted a surprising number of skaters came from well outside the Northwoods.

“We were excited to have several International skaters from Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico,” she said, “along with attendance from New Orleans, California, Idaho, Montana, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado, and Wisconsin.”

Skaters remarked the course was in top shape and that combined with mild temperatures may have contributed to swift speeds led by champion Kellin Dunfee — training for the US Olympic Speedskating Team — who finished the marathon distance in a blistering course record time of 1:08 and on one corner was marked at a speed of over 32 miles per hour.

“The course was perfect,” said Alexis Simmons, from New Richmond. “Not having to worry about hazards made all of the difference for me as a new skater.” Minneapolis skater Neely Theison agreed.

“This is the best race in my opinion,” Theison said. “I really like skating the three (8.7 mile) laps because I can keep a better pace with myself knowing where I am in my own race. After the first

lap, I know what is coming and I can anticipate terrain or changes that need to be made to make

the next lap better and/or faster.”

Next up for Bay Area endurance athletes is the July 4th Fireworks 5k Fire Run in Ashland.