Nicholas Amato of Suttons Bay makes last minute charge to win M22 Challenge

Photo by Daniel Shepler

From staff reports

More than 900 athletes came out to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore early Saturday morning to participate in the ninth annual M22 Challenge. Nicholas Amato, 20, of Suttons Bay, was the first in the men’s group to cross the finish line at a time of 1:15:06, with Jamie Endicott, 24, of Oak Park, securing the top honor among the women with a time of 1:26:46.

“I started competing in the M22 Challenge when I was 13” said Amato. “ This is my fifth time. I was shooting for top three this year but to win overall, I’m just at a loss for words. This is the most beautiful course in the world. The energy is what keeps bringing me back, it’s unreal.”

Athletes took off from the start line on M-109 in Glen Arbor in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, with the famous “Dune Climb” on the Sleeping Bear Dunes, kicking off the start to the 22-mile race. From there, athletes jumped on their bikes for a 17-mile race up Inspiration Point and around Big and Little Glen Lake, and finish with a 2.5-mile paddle on kayaks or on stand up paddle boards in Little Glen Lake.

Jamie Endicott is no amateur when it comes to the race. “This is my fourth time competing,” she said. “My third win. I did a lot of biking to train but nothing can prepare you for the dune climb.” When asked why she keeps coming back to compete year after year, she replied, “because I keep winning.”

The M22 Challenge attracts competitive athletes from all over the country. For some, it’s just about having fun and enjoying the event in such a beautiful location.

“I took six dunks, so I think I might hold the record for the most times being in the water today,” said Jason Millership of Portage, who participated in the race for his second time. “It’s not a race, it’s just fun! Running up the dunes, biking around the lake, everyone is happy and cheering you on. It’s just a great event.

FLOW (For Love of Water), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the common waters of the Great Lakes, was the presenting sponsor of the event this year.

“The energy and the passion of these athletes is absolutely as inspiring as the location of where the M22 Challenge takes place,” said Liz Kirkwood of FLOW. “With a mission to protect the Great Lakes, I can’t think of better champions than these athletes. Serving as the presenting sponsor was a great way to reinforce our mutual mission.”

Keegan Myers, co-owner of M22 says “every year, the energy is so high It brings together such a great group of people from all over for a fun morning of competition.”

Jerry Pearson, 58 of Empire, has competed every year in the M22 Challenge. For him he says, “It’s a right of passage into summer. Being a local, I come back every year to continue to defend my turf.”

Third time competitor, Jacqueline Killmer of Portage, and overall female winner in age group 40-44, when asked why she comes back year after year said, “this is the most well run event I’ve ever completed in, the most fun event, most beautiful and the people from the athletes to the volunteers are just absolutely amazing.”