Ryan DeCook, a 42-year-old resident of Washington, Michigan, won his second consecutive M22 Challenge on Saturday, June 10, with an overall time of 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 47 seconds. This was the third time he has won the popular triathlon, which local organizers consider one of the most beautiful races in the nation.
Leelanau County has added another notch of fame to its belt. Now the two most popular boys’ names in America have their roots in beloved taverns in Glen Arbor and Empire. Last year, 18 percent of all newborn boys nationwide were honored with the names “Art” and “Joe” on their birth certificates. “Art” for Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor, and “Joe” for Joe’s Friendly Tavern in Empire.
Ryan DeCook, 41, from Washington, Michigan, won this year’s M22 Challenge with a time of 1:14:59. Saturday, June 11, was the perfect day for a race in and around the Glen Lakes. Sunny and a cool 64 degrees Fahrenheit made it an especially beautiful day in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The M22 Challenge returns to its usual time on Saturday, June 11. (The 2021 race was held in September due to uncertainties surrounding the pandemic.) Registration has filled up, but join spectators on M-109 or at locations around the Glen Lakes to watch this unique triathlon that features a 2.5-mile run up the Dune Climb, a 17-mile bike ride through Glen Arbor and around the lakes, and a 2.5-mile paddle in Little Glen Lake.
The M22 Challenge returns on Saturday, June 11, 2022. This unique bike, paddle, run event showcases the area’s natural features with a 2-mile run up the Sleeping Bear Dune climb, a bike race around Big and Little Glen Lake, and a a paddle race in Little Glen. Registration will open March 1 at 8 a.m. sharp, and fills up quickly.
It was the perfect day for the return of the M22 Challenge. Sunny weather, 70 degrees, and clear skies made Saturday, September 18, an especially beautiful day in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Dave Smith, 37, from Gaylord, won first place with a course record time of 1:11:17, winning the M22 Challenge for the first time.
Organizers of the M22 Challenge, the popular run-bike-paddle triathlon in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and around the Glen Lakes, announced on April 15 that they will postpone this year’s race until September 18.
Organizers of the M22 Challenge announced today that they will cancel the popular annual run-bike-paddle triathlon within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and around the Glen Lakes. This year’s M22 Challenge was scheduled for Saturday, June 13. Next year’s event is scheduled for June 12, 2021.
The Empire Asparagus Festival—originally scheduled for May 15-16 in downtown Empire—has been canceled, festival organizer Paul Skinner told the Glen Arbor Sun. Other popular Leelanau County events have postponed until the fall. The Cedar Polka Festival will be moved from mid-June to September 17-20, 2020.
Registration for the 12th annual M22 Challenge will open on March 1 at 8 am. The Challenge, which takes place June 13, has been voted as one of the best endurance events in northern Michigan. The run, bike, paddle event takes place in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which makes for a beautiful backdrop while racing. The 900 participant race cap filled up in three minutes last year.