Endurance running on the solstice

From staff reports

Our town hosts the inaugural Glen Arbor Solstice 5K and Half Marathon on the morning of June 16. The event, organized by local athlete Joel Gaff, will take runners on a 13.1-mile run around picturesque Big Glen Lake, followed by a 3.1-mile run just south of Glen Arbor. We asked Gaff to tell us about his project, Endurance Evolution, and why it’s coming to Glen Arbor (as well as Empire for another marathon in October):

“I was born and raised in Traverse City and I’ve always been an active person,” explained Gaff. “The idea for Endurance Evolution started when I was in graduate school at Michigan State University. I was part of the MSU Triathlon Club and my teammate and good friend, Eric Tingwall, and I decided that we wanted to put on a first-class triathlon in the Traverse City area. We wanted to create a high-quality race that was challenging, and showcased the natural beauty of the area. In 2009 we hosted the inaugural Traverse City Triathlon at Bowers Harbor and Endurance Evolution was born.”

“The next event on our calendar is the Glen Arbor Solstice Half Marathon. The half marathon will take runners around Big Glen Lake in a clockwise loop. Runners ascend Inspiration Point on the south side of Big Glen where they will experience one of the most spectacular views in Leelanau County. The 5k course is flat and fast, and will take runners and walkers through tree-lined roads on the edge of downtown Glen Arbor. Both races start and finish on Lake St., near the intersection of Lakewood. Some of the proceeds from the event will go to the Glen Arbor Park Commission.”

“At one of our first meetings with Glen Arbor officials, the idea of resurrecting the Glen Arbor BBQ and Brew Festival came up, and we were immediately excited about the possibility. We saw it as a perfect complement to the half marathon and 5k. Ever since then we’ve been working closely with The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the BBQ and Brew Festival, in the planning of the two events. Once athletes are done racing in the half marathon or 5k in the morning, they can spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the BBQ and Brew Festival with their family and friends. It will make for a full day of fun in Glen Arbor.”

“On Sunday, October 7, we will host the inaugural Sleeping Bear Marathon & Half Marathon in Empire. The out-and-back 26.2-mile marathon course will take runners by the Dune Climb, past Little Glen Lake, and through Glen Arbor with breathtaking views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes along the way. The 13.1-mile half-marathon will follow the same course as the marathon, turning around at the 6.5 mile mark, near the Dune Climb. Both races start and finish at Johnson Park in Empire. At the peak of fall color season, the tree-lined course will be one that both runners and spectators won’t soon forget. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Empire Lions Club.”

“The natural beauty of Leelanau County is the main reason we’ve chosen to host these races here. We’re so lucky that we live here and get to enjoy this beauty year-round. We want to showcase some of our favorites spots in the county, and share them with others who might never have had a reason to come visit. For anyone looking for a more low-key way to take part in the events, we’re always looking for more volunteers for events.”

“Many locals and visitors already enjoy active recreation, such as running, cycling, etc., and we hope that our events will add another dimension to all that Leelanau County has to offer. It’s already known for its beaches, lakes, wine and food, and we hope to add to this rich palette of offerings.”

“It’s hard for me to pick just one favorite spot in Leelanau County. When I’m on my bicycle I never get tired of the views from the rolling hills north of M-22 near Petersen Park. The trails around Port Oneida/Good Harbor Bay are my favorite for running. When the wind is whipping, there’s nothing like taking the Hobie Cat out for a sail on Sleeping Bear Bay with Rob Karner. In the summer when I just want to relax, I’ll grab a book and head to the beach near Glen Haven.”

“Leelanau County is fortunate to not have been infiltrated by the hustle and bustle lifestyle of the big city yet. I think that this, paired with so many opportunities for active recreation, and strong connections to locally grown foods help contribute to the health of the residents. Compared to folks living in a big city or more populated area, we have fewer excuses to not get out and be active, and we have so many high quality local food sources around us.”

“If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, abundant locally grown foods, some of the most beautiful natural landscapes and scenery in America, Leelanau is the place to be.”

“We’re most excited about bringing people together with our events, and creating some new traditions for both locals and visitors. We hope that we can provide a new set of opportunities for people to come together and enjoy the beauty of our area. One thing we’re always a bit nervous about is the weather. As any northern Michigan local can attest, the weather around here can be very unpredictable. Nonetheless, our events will go on, rain or shine.”

For more information, to register, and to volunteer, visit EnduranceEvolution.com.