US NATIONAL MARATHONS

Many thanks to Ed Burns of Vestal NY for the following report with photos by Peggy Anderson and Dan Snipes -

On Wednesday, February 20 the recorded low temperature in Bemidji, Minnesota was a chilly minus 31, but for the 2008 National Marathon held the following Saturday and Sunday on Lake Bemidji the sky was sunny, the temperature above freezing (balmy by Bemidji standards), and the ice near perfect. On what many skaters considered the best lake ice ever used for a marathon, 36 skaters raced on the groomed and Zambonied 1,000 meter track with Danny Frederick of Wauwatosa, WI crossing the finish line first with a time of 44:06. He was closely followed by Mike Anderson of Minneapolis, MN with a time of 44:07, and Charlie Stangl of Andover, MN at 45:39. Hannah Curwin (age 16) completed the 25 laps with a fantastic time of 45:47, followed by Kathie Zapotocki of Zionsville, PA (no -31 in Zionsville, PA I bet) with a time of 48:00, and Susan Vehe of Roseville, MN third at 51:09. Kudos to Dan Snipes (formerly of Vermont) who spent many an hour getting from Den Haag, Netherlands (or “The Hague” for the non-Dutch among you) to Bemidji. Nonetheless, Dan managed to skate the 25km in a speedy 46:27. Gefeliciteerd! I think this means “Congratulations,” but if not I apologize to Dan and all Dutch speakers/skaters everywhere.
If anything, the ice and weather for the 50km on Sunday was even better than Saturday. With a report of a bald eagle soaring overhead, energetic fans (yes, we loved the cowbell…so good…so cyclocross), Mike Anderson topped the finish list with a time of 1:34:37, followed by Charlie Stangl at 1:37:02 and Andy Kostka of Maple Grove, MN at 1:37:16. Carla Langenthal was the first woman to complete the 50 lap race with a time of 1:39:16, followed by Kathie Zapotocki at 1:39:20, and Kristina VanWilgen-Hammitt of Bemidji at 2:01:35. For complete age group results and overall standings for the 25km and 50km races see Greater Minnesota Speedskating Association website.
In addition to the near perfect 1,000 meter track, the organization and support for this year’s National speedskating marathon was outstanding. The ambience at the track was great, the opening ceremonies excellent (Canadian, Dutch and USA National anthems no less), lap counters were available and ready, and there have been few races where so much encouragement was provided to all skaters. Ample parking next to the track, a port-a-john (so important when far from indoor plumbing), refreshments, hot chocolate and cider, a tent, flags and even a refreshment stand for spectators with BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs… And did I hear “My Mother was a referee” playing in the background before the start? I love it! With a beautiful sunny sky and temperature above freezing, the 1,000 meter track on Lake Bemidji was a fun place to be, and a fantastic place to skate. For a first National speedskating marathon Chantal Cermak and the Bemidji Speedskating Club (Pioneer Speedskating) are to be commended for providing an excellent track, a superbly organized event, and a warm and welcoming race for all skaters.

If Chantal and friends have the race again in 2009, expect more entrants if not for the chance to compete in a National speedskating marathon, for the opportunity to skate on some of the best lake ice you will ever see or experience. Advice for next year? For Chantal and her excellent support group: none, well maybe chip timing. Keep doing what you did. Fantastic job! For skaters: stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites with a room overlooking Lake Bemidji at a reasonable rate with lots of cable channels, a mini-refrigerator and small microwave. The hotel has a very nice restaurant and a bar (if one does “bar” things come Sunday after the 50km). The hotel has an indoor pool, an elaborate kiddy pool section, and, most importantly, an indoor/outdoor whirlpool. You might skip the bar on Sunday, but give the whirlpool a shot!

OK, sightseeing in Bemidji. Well, we visited an ice shack although “shack” is somewhat of a misnomer in that the ice “residence” (the owner so kindly invited us inside) was more on the palatial side. TV, electronic fish-finding gear, beds, kitchen, bathroom, beds. They no how to ice fish in Bemidji! A visit to the Paul Bunyan statue (and his blue ox “Babe”) is a must, and check out the sky over Lake Bemidji for hungry bald eagles, also the woolen mill to purchase a wool blanket made in Bemidji for a reasonable price. Oh, don’t forget about purchasing some hand harvested wood parched lake wild rice processed by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Lake Bemidji is part of the headwaters for the Mississippi which actually begins in Lake Itasca, passes through Lake Bemidji, and leaves the lake as an unassuming stream. What we did not do while in Bemidji was visit the curling rink (or “sheets”) which hosted the 2008 National Senior Curling championship the weekend of the National speedskating marathon. Did I mention that the 35th Annual Paul Bunyan Sled Dog Challenge was also held on the weekend of the National speedskating marathon? Bemidjians know how to do winter! I know speedskating is the focus but with 160 km of cross-country ski trails, Bemidji is hotbed of winter recreation (check it out).

Next year, if a marathon is held in Bemidji, I plan to get there a few days earlier than this year. I don’t know about the dog sled races, but there is something a little bit Zen about curling that I find appealing (Andrew Love we need your thoughts on this). In any case, I look forward to the best lake ice ever groomed for a race…and maybe best post-race whirlpool around. Final note: get a ticket more than two weeks in advance and check air prices periodically for the best rate. I paid about $400 round trip from Binghamton to Bemidji. Sure beats a 22 hour and 1,337 mile car ride!