Sixth annual Nordic Classic planned for February 28 at Black Mountain

The 6th Annual Black Mountain Nordic Classic 34 km cross country ski race and John Hardin/Marv Mendyk memorial 10 km ski tour is scheduled for Saturday, February 28 at Black Mountain.

An added feature this year is an alternate path that skiers can take on the way back to the Chateau finish area thus avoiding the larger hills near the finish of the normal race course. There will be a sign with an arrow indicating straight for “brave” tour skiers and left for “smart? tour skiers. The overall distance of the tour will remain 10 km or 6.2 miles no matter which route is taken.

One major goal of the race committee to is increase the number of local skiers participating in the tour. There has been a big increase in the number of skiers this winter enjoying the excellent grooming and trails at Black Mountain. The committee is hoping that these same skiers will take the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of other skiers, a nice lunch and shirt while contributing to the continued trail grooming at Black Mountain.

The 34 km race is viewed as the jewel of the Michigan Cup cross-country ski race circuit. The race will start at 10 a.m. on Trout Lake below the Chateau lode. The race then proceeds in a county clockwise direction covering the entire outside perime

ter of the trail system at Black Mountain. Various aid stations are available to skiers along the 20-mile course. Spectators could watch the start of the race from the ridge above the lake then proceed to the point where the race crosses county line road near the DNR parking lot. Racers will again return to this road crossing after skiing the Presque Isle side of the trail loop before proceeding to the finish at the Chateau. Although the race will include many of the fastest skiers in the Midwest, many folks just participate to tour the course for fun and to take advantage of the exceptional grooming on race day.

The cost for the race is $45 for preregistered skiers and $50 registration the day of the race. The registration Includes a custom designed shirt, custom awards for the overall woman and men winners and top three age group finishers, and the post race luncheon at the Chateau. Registration forms can be downloaded from nordicskiracer.com. Race day registration takes place at the Chateau Lodge from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. the morning of the race. The cost for the 10 km tour is $36 and also includes lunch and a shirt. Questions regarding the race should be directed to dpaull999@sbcglobal.net or by calling 231-597-9372.