The Winter Warriors Race Series

01/27/2025

Hey Winter Warriors! This is Ryan Hackett, the former race director/founder checking in!

When I found out the race series was not going to be hosted this winter my mind started brewing on some ideas. I now live in Marquette, Michigan. I'm married with 3 kids and operating one of Walmart's top online grocery pick-up and delivery programs in the nation. I still try to devote 7-10 hrs of endurance training each week. Hosting the events in the same capacity as the past would be tricky, but I've made some good friendships in the running community since moving here and started tossing around the idea of bringing the Winter Warrior races to Marquette. If I collaborate with the right people I would love to make this happen. There were several different ideas for routes when I discussed bringing the series to Marquette, but one in particular intrigued me and after mapping it, I thought, "If you build it, they will come." I ran it yesterday and was overwhelmed with excitement on and off thinking about the possibility of seeing everyone from the race series again. It's a super kick butt course in my opinion--feel free to check it out by following my Strava link at the end of this post.

The course is challenging, engaging, and very pretty through the woods, with a glimpse of Lake Superior at the turnaround. The course starts/finishes at the NTN Forestville Trailhead, which can accommodate parking and has a chalet for warming as well as provides rental gear for XC Skiing and fat biking. There's 900 ft of climbing/descending, but with this course you'd be protected from the wind in the woods. The turn around point is perfectly at the tip of Little Presque Isle, which is a pretty cool and majestic spot (I'll try to add some pictures in the comments).

Obviously it's not centrally located in the middle of Michigan's lower peninsula making it a managable morning drive for most previous participants, however, Marquette has so much to give if you're willing to make the travel. If I can make this happen I would hope to bring back some of the old race awards and come up with some super kick butt post race food.

Nothing is set in stone or approved and even if this route doesn't work, I just wanted to share.

Check out my run on Strava.

12/15/2024

I have struggled to try keep these races going this year but I am not able to. I am sorry to say we will not be putting on the races this year. I am sorry for all the runners that have been putting in the trek to Mt. Pleasant each year and will not get to keep that going for another one. These races take a lot of time to put together and trying to keep the costs down while avoiding bigger races is quite challenging. As a road racer myself I don’t want to keep raising prices for the same or less quality race. I hope everyone can find a dead of winter challenge to get out there and battle this winter!

03/10/2024

Posted preliminary results to RunSignUp. With all the race changes there are sure to be mistakes but if you email me any corrections I will updates things as they come in. Thanks for running with us on this blast of winter!

03/06/2024

Getting ready for the race this weekend! This Sunday is daylight savings is starting this weekend! We will start at 9 am, please make sure to check your clock and or alarm as needed to be there!

02/12/2024

Some of the photos from January's Snowman race. We didn't get to the "best" parts of the course.

02/12/2024

We have a few pictures from this February's Ice Cube race.

02/11/2024

I have posted results to the RunSignup page. I have not included the age group result intentionally due to mix up in my part: several tags were coded incorrectly. I have resolved a couple and will fix the rest as soon as possible.

02/10/2024

Race day tomorrow! Roads all clear and dry, should see some decent times.

01/14/2024

I have posted results to RunSignUp, however if you notice you are listed in the wrong race or you question time please email me directly and I will start correcting as soon as possible.

Thanks for coming out and running. I hope to review some photos and post some pictures in the next few days.

01/13/2024

We attempted to drive the course tonight and part of the half marathon course is drifting badly. We saw a vehicle that was stuck and not likely to get out without assistance. The sidewalks are not shoveled so all running will be in the roads. The 5k and 10k look like they can go on the planned route but roads are snow packed. We will make a decision in the morning but I think we will alter the half marathon course if any warriors want to run that distance.

Also, packet pickup will be in the McLaren parking lot. We will try to be ready starting at 7:30. The race will still start on the sidewalk and run out onto the road.

01/12/2024

The Snowman races must go on! 😀

We are making plans to make sure we can complete our race and the Winter Warriors have a triumphant battle with the weather. I plan to drive the course on Saturday afternoon, I will post some info from that trip.

01/05/2024

Getting ready for the Snowman race. Weather is getting colder and awards in production. Medals and hats are ready.