Author: Great Bear Chase

A record 866 skiers enjoyed a perfect day for cross country skiing Saturday for the 40^th annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon at the Swedetown Trails in Calumet.

Two former Olympians, Brian and Caitlin Gregg, took the men’s and women’s titles in the 50km skiathlon. Brian is also a six-time national champion, while Caitlin is a former All-American at Northern Michigan University and the only five-time winner in the history of the American Birkebeiner, the biggest ski race in North America. The skiathlon incorporates the two different styles of cross country skiing – 25 kilometers using the traditional classic diagonal stride technique and then 25 kilometers of the freestyle or skating technique.

“Conditions were excellent, with moderate temperatures, no wind, and a great snow base,” said race director Angela Luskin, Health and Fitness Manager at UP Health System Portage. “About 80 percent of our participants come from outside of our immediate area, which means almost 700 skiers and their families are renting hotel rooms, eating at restaurants, and supporting our local economy,” said Luskin. “Cross country skiing is a silent sport, but has a large impact for local businesses not only on Bear Chase weekend but throughout the winter.”

The Great Bear Chase also includes competition in each technique at distances of 50km, 25km, and 10km.

The 50km freestyle titles were claimed by Anna Engle (Rhinelander, WI) and Zach Nelson (St. Paul, MN).  Elspeth Ronnander (St. Paul, MN) won her second consecutive 50km classic title, while Eric Patterson (Dulth, MN) took the men’s crown.

Two Minneapolitans won the 25km freestyle: Inga Wing and Charlie Grabow. In the classic 25km, Jane Straka (Nashotah, WI) earned her second consecutive victory, while Cedric Keller of Houghton took the men’s title. 

In the 10km distance, Anne Straka (Nashotah, WI) and Noah Erickson (Wyoming, MN) took freestyle wins, while Leandra Bruggink (Marquette, MI) and Andrew Pillifant (Ishpeming, MI)  won the classic event.

More than 100 volunteers are needed to plan the event, set up the course and start and finish areas, provide several aid stations for skiers, and prepare a huge pasty luncheon at Calumet High School for racers.

The Great Bear Chase is also the concluding race in the CXC Ski Marathon Cup, which includes six of the biggest cross country ski events in the Midwest.

The UP Health System Portage Great Bear Chase will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on Saturday, March 7th. Last year the event had record participation, with over 800 racers. The Great Bear Chase committee has been working hard over the past few years to really make this a high quality event, listening to racer and volunteer feedback and making improvements each year. In recent years we’ve added a 50km skiathlon, found a new stadium location, updated the course and more. We are committed to making this event a great experience for all who participate.

For those coming from out-of-town, now is the time to arrange lodging for the Great Bear Chase. There are many hotels and charming cabin rentals in our area. The best way to find out where there are openings is to check with the Keweenaw Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: 800-338-7982 or www.keweenaw.info. Another option to find hosts with rooms in our area is to use AirBNB and VRBO.com. There are a growing number of such options in the Keweenaw.

If you have never taken part in this amazing community event, now is the time! If you’ve never missed a Great Bear Chase, we are looking forward to seeing you again!

Fees increase February 1, so take a minute and register today. Take your pick of distance (10km, 25km, or 50km) and technique (classic or freestyle), or sign up for the 50km skiathlon and ski both classic and freestyle! And for those wondering if we have snow, we are at a 173 inches of snowfall to date!

For all event details, please visit www.greatbearchase.com

The 39^th annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase is almost here! Conditions are looking great, with a packed base of 36” on the course and great temperatures leading up to Saturday, March 9^th.

Online registration will be open until midnight on Wednesday, March 6. Last-minute registration will also be available at the Calumet High School from 4-8:30 p.m. the day before the race. Registration will not be accepted on race day.  Save money by registering before prices increase on March 4^th.

To register now, visit http://www.greatbearchase.com/registration/

2019 Great Bear Chase Race Details

Before you hang up your skis for the season, consider joining over 700 skiers by participating in one of the last ski events of the year. The Great Bear Chase has earned a reputation as a laid-back, skier-orientated weekend that allows skiers of all experience levels to finish their season with a high-quality event.  Some highlights of this year’s race include:

• The 2019 Great Bear Chase will feature seven races: 50 km Skiathlon, freestyle and classic 50 km, 25 km and 10 km races.
• Unique race – the 50km Skiathlon features a combined competition of 25 km of classic skiing followed by 25 km of freestyle skiing. The Great Bear Chase 50km Skiathlon is part of the CXC Marathon Cup.
• Handcrafted awards – a tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into the creation of numerous race awards.  Over 100 wood carved skis will be given to 1^st place finishers in all age groups. Unique copper awards will be given to overall male and female winners of each race in addition to other top finishers in the 50K Freestyle. To see a detailed breakdown of the age groups visit our race guide at http://www.greatbearchase.com/race-guide/.
• Toko hats – all participants will receive a cool 2019 Great Bear Chase Toko hat.
• Bib pick-up is at the Calumet High School, 4-8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8, and 6-8:30 am on

Saturday, March 9. You can find details, maps, and other information in the race guide athttp://www.greatbearchase.com/race-guide/

We hope to see you at the 39^th annual Great Bear Chase on Saturday, March 9^th, 2019!

The 38^th annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase is almost here! Conditions are looking great, with a packed base of 26” on the course and great temperatures leading up to Saturday, March 10^th.

Online registration will be open until midnight on Wednesday, March 7. Last-minute registration will also be available at the Calumet High School from 4-8:30 p.m. the day before the race. Registration will not be accepted on race day.  Save money by registering before prices increase on March 5^th.

To register now, visit http://www.greatbearchase.com/registration/.

2018 Great Bear Chase Race Details

Before you hang up your skis for the season, consider joining over 700 skiers by participating in one of the last ski events of the year. The Great Bear Chase has earned a reputation as a laid-back, skier-orientated weekend that allows skiers of all experience levels to finish their season with a high-quality event.  Some highlights of this year’s race include:

• The 2018 Great Bear Chase will feature seven races: 50 km Skiathlon, freestyle and classic 50 km, 25 km and 10 km races.
• Return of the 50 km Skiathlon – the 50km Skiathlon features a combined competition of 25 km of classic skiing followed by 25 km of freestyle skiing. The Great Bear Chase 50km Skiathlon is part of the CXC Marathon Cup.
• Handcrafted awards – a tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into the creation of numerous race awards.  Over 100 wood carved skis will be given to 1^st place finishers in all age groups. Unique copper awards will be given to overall male and female winners of each race in addition to other top finishers in the 50K Freestyle. To see a detailed breakdown of the age groups visit our race guide at http://www.greatbearchase.com/race-guide/.
• Swix hats – all participants will receive a cool 2018 Great Bear Chase Swix hat.
• Bib pick-up is at the Calumet High School, 4-8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9, and 6-8:30 am on

Saturday, March 10. You can find details, maps, and other information in the race guide at http://www.greatbearchase.com/race-guide/

We hope to see you at the 38^th annual Great Bear Chase on Saturday, March 10^th, 2018!

The first Great Bear Chase took place in 1981 and Richard Clark was there. This year marks the 36^th annual ski marathon and Richard Clark plans to be there, just as he has for every Great Bear Chase. (A note that, if you are doing the math, the event was cancelled twice – once because of no snow and once because a huge wind storm toppled a number of trees onto the trail on the eve of the race.)

Clark grew up in western New York not far from Buffalo and currently resides in the Twin Cities area. His connection to the Keweenaw started when he attended Michigan Technological University from 1977-1981, and has continued through cross country skiing and the Great Bear Chase. He says he loves the fun, low key atmosphere that the GBC provides.  “It’s a well-organized event on a fun course with great snow – a great way to wrap up the (non-Yooper) ski season.”

Clark has many special memories of the GBC. “The very first one in 1981, starting in the rain and ending in heavy snow with post-race donuts and pie at the Parkside Bakery; the old loop course down to the river; the blizzard year of 1988; the frigid sub-zero race of 2003 – still the coldest ski marathon I’ve ever done; and several of the years in between with their sunny, rocket-fast, near-perfect race conditions.”

Clark plans to continue the unbroken streak this year and is registered for the 36^th GBC on March 10, 2018. He continues to come back year after year because “it’s a really fun event, it’s a great excuse for another ski visit to the Copper Country, and also, frankly, to keep the ‘founder’ string going.”

Learn more about the Great Bear Chase at GreatBearChase.com .

A record 657 skiers flooded the Swedetown ski trails in Calumet for the 36^th running of the UP Health System Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon on Saturday. Racers could choose from among seven races of various distances and techniques.

Nick Power, Minneapolis, MN and Rosie Frankowski, Anchorage ,AK took victories in the 50km skiathlon, which incorporates the two different styles of cross country skiing – the traditional classic diagonal stride technique and the freestyle or skating technique. Skiers cover 25km (about 15 miles) of each, for a total of 50km. The Great Bear Chase also includes competition in each technique at distances of 50km, 25km, and 10km

In the 50km freestyle competition, Tristan Schouten, Plymouth, WI took first place among men and Paulette Niemi, Ironwood, MI was the top woman finisher. Luke Bodewes, Hazelhurst, WI earned the top spot in the 50km classic for men, and Chandra Ziegler, Crystal Falls, MI won the women’s event.

Other winners include Nathan Koch, Merrill, WI and Joellen Torresai, Middleton, WI in the 25km freestyle, and Peter Scheller, Champlin, MN and Nicole Gilman, Manitwoish Waters, WI in the 25km classic. The 10km winners were Gavin Martell, Grand View, WI and Victoria Shreve, Ironwood, MI in the freestyle and Dalton Collins of Washburn, WI and Carley Hintz of Arbor Vitae, WI in the classic.

“Conditions were excellent and we had plenty of snow,” said race director Angela Luskin. “As they do every year, skiers said they enjoy our course, and we have the best snow conditions in the Midwest. Our groomers did a great job, and I can’t say enough about our volunteers. Without them, we would not be able to put on a race of this caliber.”

The Great Bear Chase added the skiathlon event last year, and it was an immediate success, according to Craig Hughes, a member of the organizing committee. “We are attracting some of the top skiers in the Midwest, and they love the skiathlon. It is challenging enough to ski 50km, but to do so with two different techniques and an equipment change in the middle – that just adds to the excitement. Plus, I believe this is the only marathon-length skiathlon in the U.S.”

The Great Bear Chase is also the concluding race in the CXC Ski Marathon Cup, which includes six of the biggest cross country ski events in the Midwest.

Results and photos are at www.greatbearchase.com. The 2017 Great Bear Chase will take place March 11.

The 36^th annual UP Health System Great Bear Chase is almost here! Conditions are looking great, with a packed base of 24” on the course and great temperatures leading up to Saturday, March 5^th.

Online registration will be open until midnight on Thursday, March 3. Last-minute registration will also be available at the Calumet Middle School from 4-8:30 p.m. the day before the race. Registration will not be accepted on race day. Save money by registering before prices increase on March 3rd.

To register now, visit http://www.greatbearchase.com/registration/.

2016 Great Bear Chase Race Details

Before you hang up your skis for the season, consider joining over 500 skiers by participating in one of the last ski events of the year. The Great Bear Chase has earned a reputation as a laid-back, skier-orientated weekend that allows skiers of all experience levels to finish their season with a high-quality event. Some highlights of this year’s race include:

• The 2016 Great Bear Chase will feature seven races: 50 km Skiathlon, freestyle and classic 50 km, 25 km and 10 km races.
• Return of the 50 km Skiathlon – the 50km Skiathlon features a combined competition of 25 km of classic skiing followed by 25 km of freestyle skiing. The Great Bear Chase 50km Skiathlon is part of the CXC Marathon Cup.
• Handcrafted awards – a tremendous amount of time and effort has gone into the creation of numerous race awards. Over 100 wood carved skis will be given to 1^st place finishers in all age groups. Unique copper awards will be given to overall male and female winners of each race in addition to top 10 male and top 5 female finishers in the 50K Freestyle. To see a detailed breakdown of the age groups visit our race guide at http://www.greatbearchase.com/race-guide/.
• T-shirt swag – all participants will receive a cool 2016 Great Bear Chase dri-wicking t-shirt. Both men’s and women’s sizes will be available.
• Races will start an hour later than previous years with the 50 km Skiathlon kicking off the event at 9 m. EST and the 10 km skate race rounding out the starts at 10:00 a.m. EST
• Pasta Dinner – the Copper Country Meals on Wheels program will provide the spaghetti feed for participants and guests at the same location as Registration and Bib Pickup. The dinner is a benefit for this valuable program that serves almost 300 people daily. Talented cooks will be creating this pasta feast and the dedicated staff will be on hand to serve. The price is $10. Plan on enjoying a good meal with fellow skiers and fuel up for a great race!

We hope to see you at the 36^th annual Great Bear Chase on Saturday, March 5^th, 2016!

The Great Bear Chase ski race will be March 5th this year, and as always, will showcase both our area’s wonderful trails and people. The event requires the dedication and support of over 100 community volunteers. Positions are still available if you are interested in helping out with this great community event. The race will take place on Saturday, March 5^th, 2016 at the beautiful Swedetown Trails in Calumet, Michigan.

Volunteer positions are available the week of the event (filling racer bags with goodies, course set-up), the day prior (registration) and the day of (registration, organizing the finishing chute, helping with timing and awards, helping at the aid stations, parking assistance and helping with the racer luncheon). Shifts range from one to three hours.

Superior Search & Rescue and medical personnel are an important piece to the Great Bear Chase. More than a dozen volunteers from Superior Search & Rescue ensure radio communication is available throughout the entire course and that everyone is connected. Many first responders and other medical personnel volunteer their time to provide medical assistance on the course and at the Finish Line. They are a key component to the safety of the event.

If you are interested in helping for one or more of the many volunteer positions, please fill out our volunteer form at http://www.greatbearchase.com/volunteer/ and our volunteer coordinator will be in touch shortly.

We hope to see you at the 36^th annual Great Bear Chase on Saturday, March 5^th, 2016!

Registration is now open for the 36^th annual UP Health System Portage Great Bear Chase. The race will take place on Saturday, March 5^th, 2016 at the beautiful Swedetown Trails in Calumet, Michigan.

To register now, visit http://www.greatbearchase.com/registration/.

About the 2016 Great Bear Chase

The 2016 Great Bear Chase will feature seven races: 50 km Skiathlon, freestyle and classic 50 km, 25 km and 10 km races. Registration is open now, and is discounted more than 30 percent through the end of the year. The entry fee is $60 for the 25 km and 50 km events and $30 for the 10 km races. These prices will jump on January 1, February 3 and March 3.

Snow is on the way according to the latest weather forecasts. While we patiently wait for a white blanket to cover our beautiful Swedetown Trails, our Great Bear Chase planning committee has been busy finalizing race details. Some highlights of this year’s race include:

• Return of the 50 km Skiathlon – the 50km Skiathlon features a combined competition of 25 km classic skiing followed by by 25 km freestyle skiing. The two lap course is perfect for one lap of striding and one lap of skating. The Great Bear Chase 50km Skiathlon is part of the CXC Marathon Cup.
• Additional age groups added – we are pleased to announce an additional 10 age groups have been added to the Great Bear Chase, bringing our total to 104 across all events. That’s a whopping 312 age groups awards for male and female racers! To see a detailed breakdown of the age groups visit our race guide at http://www.greatbearchase.com/race-guide/.
• T-shirt swag – all participants will receive a cool 2016 Great Bear Chase dri-wicking t-shirt. Both men and women sizes will be available.
• New race start times – you provided your feedback and we listened. The 2016 Great Bear Chase will start an hour later than previous years with more condensed race starts. 50 km Skiathlon – 9 a.m. EST
  • 50 km Classic – 9 a.m. EST
  • 25 km Classic – 9:10 a.m. EST
  • 50 km Freestyle – 9:30 a.m. EST
  • 25 km Freestyle – 9:40 a.m. EST
  • 10 km Classic – 9:50 a.m. EST
  • 10 km Freestyle – 10:00 a.m. EST

We hope to see you at the 36^th annual Great Bear Chase on Saturday, March 5^th, 2016!