| NORTH SHORE INLINE MARATHON
In just five years, the event has grown to be the biggest and best in the nation
By Steve Greenfield Inline skaters left the starting line during the first NorthShore Inline Marathon in 1996, and no one realized that they were becoming a part of inline skating history. Most were there just for a scenic, autumn skate with their friends and the hope of a nice finisher's shirt at the end.
But those skaters from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minn., were indeed part of something big. Two years later, the NorthShore Inline Marathon had become the largest inline race ever held in the United States. And in 2000, the race was named the best inline race in the world by an international skating magazine.
And now the 6th annual race is right around the corner, on Saturday, Sept. 15.
How did all this happen in just five years? The Idea Grandma's Marathon actually helped get the NorthShore Inline Marathon started. Several years ago, Duluthians George Hovland and Paul Vesterstein were at a ski show in Las Vegas, where they saw inline skates for sale. They discussed how it would be fun for inline skaters to take part
in Grandma's Marathon, starting a bit early so they wouldn't interfere with the runners.
Upon learning that handling thousands of runners and skaters in one race provided too many organizational challenges, Hovland and Vesterstein dropped the idea – but only briefly.
A couple of years later, as inline skating continued to grow in popularity, Hovland brought up the idea with friend Chuck Carlberg. They got excited about the possibilities and talked to others, including Dick Braun
and Mac Welles, both of whom had many years' experience with various aspects of Grandma's Marathon planning.
They pulled in others with various areas of expertise, overcame many obstacles and doubts, and the rest is history. Carlberg became the race's executive director and Welles its race director, positions they continue to handle with precision today.
Yes, that's a pretty compact version of the history, but it accurately describes how this race came to be. The Race Date Even the date of the race has an interesting history.
"Part of the reason for a September date is that Duluth's bustling summer tourism season is over by then, and northern Minnesota's fall color season is yet to begin," says executive director Chuck Carlberg. "So there are
two or three weekends where there won't be competition for hotels and other amenities to accommodate thousands of participants."
But the date selected from those two or three weekends wasn't random. Then–board chair Braun actually reviewed weather data to determine which weekend had historically been the driest. The answer? The second Saturday after Labor Day. So far, the weather gods have cooperated – five races, five bone–dry courses. The Course The NorthShore Inline Marathon got its name because the course follows Lake Superior's north shore to downtown Duluth, Minn. For most of the race, the world's largest freshwater lake is just a few feet to the skaters' left. Not somewhere off in the distance, but right next to you. It's
breathtaking scenery like this, complemented by majestic trees and totally closed roads underfoot, that adds to the skaters' enjoyment. Then it's alongside the Duluth harbor and its famous aerial lift bridge, to a finish line in the shadow of the USS Great Lakes Fleet's retired flagship.
If this course sounds familiar, it's because it is nearly identical to that of Grandma's Marathon.
"Since Grandma's Marathon has always been known for having a
picturesque course, we wanted to provide an opportunity for other kinds of racers to enjoy that same scenery," says race director Mac Welles. "In many respects, the experience of Grandma's helped pave the way for the NorthShore Inline's success." The Organization As race organizers from all over the world have discovered, it's not a
simple task to put on a race. You need water, timing equipment, police cooperation, banners – and that's just for a one–mile race.
Imagine the challenge of getting two counties, a department of transportation, a large city and other entities to approve having 26.2 miles of streets closed. Imagine finding 850 volunteers, many of whom have to be on duty by 5 a.m. Imagine the challenges of ensuring the safety of some 4,000 skaters of various skill levels. There are buses, aid stations,
award ceremonies, computer timing chips and on and on. Literally thousands of large and small details.
With only three staff members, the event relies greatly on a board comprised of experts in the fields of medicine, marketing, government, business and, of course, inline skating. The Race Weekend But enough background information – let's see what race weekend is all about.
Friday, the day before the race, begins with thousands of skaters and spectators pulling into the downtown waterfront area for a stop at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. There, on their way to picking up race packets, thousands of skaters and friends mingle among more than 40 booths at the Fitness and Industry Expo.
That evening, more than a thousand soak up marinara sauce at the Green Mill all–you–can–eat spaghetti dinner. Children are also all around, proudly wearing T–shirts and ribbons that signified their participation in that evening's annual kids' sprints.
But then Friday closes down and race day arrives.
Early Saturday morning, thousands of skaters board buses at the DECC, bound for the Two Harbors starting line. By 7 a.m., the sun at the starting
line rises, as does the skaters' anticipation.
About 100 yards down the course, alongside the patrol cars and official timing vehicle, is the KDAL–AM radio vehicle beginning three consecutive hours of live race coverage.
Professional, advanced, fitness and recreational skaters from 37 states and 10 foreign countries, ranging in age from 13 to 79, made their way down the course in 2000.
How fast do these people go? Well, the course record is 57 minutes,
which means skaters can travel at a pace of about 27 miles per hour. Of course, this isn't a race just for a few elite skaters. It's a race for the thousands of skaters of all skill levels farther back in the pack, perhaps especially those who are trying a new challenge.
"The NorthShore Inline Marathon is actually two races," says board chair Randy Olson. "The people trying to post fast times in their divisions
approach the marathon a bit more seriously, while the majority of racers are content to skate along with their friends, share a few laughs and coast across the finish line. But the one thing they share is having an enjoyable time here."
Saturday afternoon the festivities continue with the Salomon Sprints, races that require pro and advanced skaters to use techniques different from the ones they'd used in the marathon earlier in the day.
But the fun doesn't stop at sundown. The awards ceremony now attracts more than 1,000 skaters who are there to either pick up a trophy or, hopefully, one of the many industry prizes given away.
Then the DECC's main floor is cleared of chairs to make way for dancers. In 2000, raspy rocker Pamela McNeill opened the concert, followed by Moonsong recording artist G.B. Leighton. In 2001, longtime Midwest favorite Johnny Holm will be here to entertain skaters, friends and the general public.
The Award
All these activities have combined to garner the race some incredible recognition. In its Holiday 2000 issue, Fitness & Speed Skating Times named the NorthShore Inline Marathon as the world's best race of 2000. The Pompano Beach, Fla.–based magazine, which is distributed in 62
countries, had several hundred inline races around the world to choose from, and they chose Duluth's. World Cup This year, the race is part of a new World Cup of Inline Skating series. Beginning in 2001, the world's best skaters will earn World Cup points at
races in Berlin, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Zurich and other European cities. There will also be a World Cup event in North America, but at just one race – the NorthShore Inline Marathon.
If you want to learn more about this great race, write to P.O. Box 22, Duluth, MN 55801, call 218/723–1503, or log on to www.northshoreinline.com. Better yet, get yourself to Duluth and be part of the fun!
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