The race was held on pristine, wooded trails in and around Crystal Mountain. The medals everyone received were exceptional, the moisture-wicking T-shirt was appreciated, and the after-race snacks were tasty.
Organized and conducted by Crystal Mountain, the race was also sponsored by Einstein Cycles, Core Power, Field Crafts, Cliff Bar, Powerade, and the Honor Trading Post. Music was most ably provided by Executive Sounds, DJ, of Traverse City. Endurance Evolution conducted the event and provided instant finish times and places.
Lisa Fragomeli, age 53 from Muskegon, has 29 more races to get to 1,000 which she will accomplish this fall. She lost weight running and controls her asthmatic condition through exercise and running.
Terry Sonevelt, 56, of Traverse City, lost 25 pounds running – and before the August marriage of his son, plans to lose another 25 pounds. Nice finish, Terry. You beat me like a drum!
Kristina Crow, 42, came here from a long distance; she is from Apex, North Carolina. Jane Thurman, 49, and Judy Coxen, 50, from Grand Rapids, used running to help stop smoking.
The Kowalski family: Mannie, Jack and Kienan, ran their first race at North Mitten and after the race, they were still smiling.
Eileen Latini, 57, began running because of her daughters. She has been in innumerable races and is a member of the Ann Arbor Running Club. David Devries, 52, of Grand Rapids, has shed 45 pounds, saying he was motivated to lose the weight because his brother called him fat. Let your brother call you fat and see what you can accomplish!
Ryan Hackett, 28, knows races. He ran in this one and conducts the seven-race Michigan Half Marathon series, including the Militant Run in Grayling. Continued…
She had a scholarship to run at Georgetown when a rare medical condition caught up with her. She has Patella Fendral Syndrome. Her shins do not connect properly to her knees. Melissa lost her scholarship and quit running. Today was her first half-marathon. She took first place in her age group. Congrats to Melissa.
Robert Doll, 61, from Hudsonville, is a doctor of family medicine and Chief of Staff at the Saginaw VA Hospital. He works 80 hours a week.
“Running is my fountain of youth, anyone can do it. Just start,” he said. Robert started running 35 years ago. Today, he is pursuing a goal to run a marathon in every state. He has already done marathons in 23 states and is registered for the 50 States Marathon group with his wife, Amy. They are training for the upcoming Charlevoix Marathon. After they finished today’s half marathon, the couple trained another five miles.
But the winners of today’s race, at least in my opinion, are a pair of lovebirds. Paul and Sue Kovalak, 58 and 56, piloted a private plane from Grand Rapids Saturday night to sign up, flew home, then flew back on Sunday to race. The race site holds special significance for Paul and Sue because they met at Crystal Mountain back in 1972 while skiing. Sue is a Registered Nurse and runs for health. Paul has three businesses.
Congratulations to my winners, the Kovalaks.
So you couldn’t get into the Bayshore? Join Crystal Mountain for next year’s North Mitten. I plan to be there again for this fine event. But get permission from your physician before you start any exercise program.
Mickey Fivenson has completed more than 60 marathons and enumerable shorter races over the past 40 years. He and his sons, Zack and Adam, hold a world marathon record. He runs every day, is a stroke survivor and credits running to his recovery and wants you to run. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. To cover your event, or for help to begin running, contact Mickey though the editor.
For those of us who did not get into the recent Bayshore, the North Mitten half marathon and 10K, directed by Crystal Mountain’s Janice Davidson, was a fine event.
The race was held on pristine, wooded trails in and around Crystal Mountain. The medals everyone received were exceptional, the moisture-wicking T-shirt was appreciated, and the after-race snacks were tasty.
Organized and conducted by Crystal Mountain, the race was also sponsored by Einstein Cycles, Core Power, Field Crafts, Cliff Bar, Powerade, and the Honor Trading Post. Music was most ably provided by Executive Sounds, DJ, of Traverse City. Endurance Evolution conducted the event and provided instant finish times and places.
Lisa Fragomeli, age 53 from Muskegon, has 29 more races to get to 1,000 which she will accomplish this fall. She lost weight running and controls her asthmatic condition through exercise and running.
Terry Sonevelt, 56, of Traverse City, lost 25 pounds running – and before the August marriage of his son, plans to lose another 25 pounds. Nice finish, Terry. You beat me like a drum!
Kristina Crow, 42, came here from a long distance; she is from Apex, North Carolina. Jane Thurman, 49, and Judy Coxen, 50, from Grand Rapids, used running to help stop smoking.
The Kowalski family: Mannie, Jack and Kienan, ran their first race at North Mitten and after the race, they were still smiling.
Eileen Latini, 57, began running because of her daughters. She has been in innumerable races and is a member of the Ann Arbor Running Club. David Devries, 52, of Grand Rapids, has shed 45 pounds, saying he was motivated to lose the weight because his brother called him fat. Let your brother call you fat and see what you can accomplish!
Ryan Hackett, 28, knows races. He ran in this one and conducts the seven-race Michigan Half Marathon series, including the Militant Run in Grayling.
Danial Oborski, 38, of Traverse City is getting ready for his next ultra-marathon this fall.
Melissa Svitil, 30, from Midland, ran since she was 8 years old. Melissa had been a top high school runner. She had a scholarship to run at Georgetown when a rare medical condition caught up with her. She has Patella Fendral Syndrome. Her shins do not connect properly to her knees. Melissa lost her scholarship and quit running. Today was her first half-marathon. She took first place in her age group. Congrats to Melissa.
Robert Doll, 61, from Hudsonville, is a doctor of family medicine and Chief of Staff at the Saginaw VA Hospital. He works 80 hours a week.
“Running is my fountain of youth, anyone can do it. Just start,” he said. Robert started running 35 years ago. Today, he is pursuing a goal to run a marathon in every state. He has already done marathons in 23 states and is registered for the 50 States Marathon group with his wife, Amy. They are training for the upcoming Charlevoix Marathon. After they finished today’s half marathon, the couple trained another five miles.
But the winners of today’s race, at least in my opinion, are a pair of lovebirds. Paul and Sue Kovalak, 58 and 56, piloted a private plane from Grand Rapids Saturday night to sign up, flew home, then flew back on Sunday to race. The race site holds special significance for Paul and Sue because they met at Crystal Mountain back in 1972 while skiing. Sue is a Registered Nurse and runs for health. Paul has three businesses. Congratulations to my winners, the Kovalaks.
So you couldn’t get into the Bayshore? Join Crystal Mountain for next year’s North Mitten. I plan to be there again for this fine event. But get permission from your physician before you start any exercise program.
Mickey Fivenson has completed more than 60 marathons and enumerable shorter races over the past 40 years. He and his sons, Zack and Adam, hold a world marathon record. He runs every day, is a stroke survivor and credits running to his recovery and wants you to run. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. To cover your event, or for help to begin running, contact Mickey though the editor.