A testament to the demanding single track terrain at Waugoshance, top runners in each event were dominated by college and high school cross country standouts and top ultra runners like Colorado's Michele Yates.

Among the twenty six states and three Canadian provinces represented at the 3rd Annual Waugoshance Trail Marathon, Indiana was well represented with 27 runners, including overall marathon champion Jake Gillette from Goshen. Gillette's strategy was dialed in for the Waugoshance course. He ran conservatively for the first 9-10 miles, which included the demanding Sturgeon Bay bluffs, a relentless series of hills between miles 4 and 7. Ryan Smith of Dexter, MI had led the race early on. Gillette took the lead on the flat Swamp Line Trail the leads into the Goose Pond Aid Station at Wilderness State Park. Gillette built a seven second lead by the half way point and extended it to another 4 minutes by the finish. His time of 3:05:33 was a course record. Smith followed in 3:09:30. Shane Lishawa a wildlife biologist from Mount Shasta, CA doing research at the nearby University of Michigan Field Station, ran a strong third in 3:19:54.

First time marathoner Danae Dracht of Hudsonville, MI ran an impressive debut performance, edging Michele Yates of Littleton, Colorado. Yates, the 2013 National Champion at 100K, 50 Miles, and 50K was the leader at the half way point in 1:45:54, with Dracht two minutes behind. Yates was running while 4 months pregnant and continued to demonstrate her well established toughness in the last half, but new comer Dracht really poured it on over the last half, especially in the rollers along French Farm Lake to take the overall win in 3:40:27. Yates finished second in 3:46:00. Dracht will be a senior this year at Spring Arbor College and races for their cross country team. She finished 33rd in the NAIA National Cross Country Championships in Lawrence, KS in 2013. Dracht had the fastest per mile pace (8:24) of any woman in the event, marathon or half marathon. Long time GLE event veteran, Jeanette Robinson of Dewitt, finished 3rd in 4:48, impressive coming from the 50-59 age group.

Canadian Rosemary Baldwin of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario captured the overall women's title in the half marathon in 1:50:25. Rhi Cullip of Harbor Springs, MI was only two minutes back in 1:52:42. Cullip, an All State Cross Country Runner (10th in 2012) for Harbor Springs, now runs for the NCAA Division II National Champion Grand Valley State University. Meredith Hoops of Napoleon, Ohio was only 40 seconds behind Cullip to finish 3rd. Hoops is also a NCAA Division II cross country runner, competing for the University of Findlay.

For the third year in a row, John Arndt has brought his New Prairie (Indiana) High School Cross Country and for second year in a row his top runner, David Kampf, took overall honors, this year finishing in 1:29:26, wearing the Patagonia Forerunners he won in the 2013 event. Canadian Brent McMilian of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario was 3 minutes back in second (1:32:47). Arndt, the New Prairie XC coach had an impressive race finishing third in 1:33:34. It appears the New Prairie Boys Team will have good prospects for the 2014 season, as 8 of the top 10 spots in the Men's Half were captured by New Prairie runners.

New this year was the Marathon Relay, featuring a 2 x 13.1 mile format. Team Righteous Harmonious Fists consisting of Jeremy Graham and Daniel Westrate demonstrated their strength and durability winning by 23 minutes over the father-son team Fast Idle (Alexander and Sandy Watson). The Watson's still raced a sub 9 minute pace over the demanding terrain. Team Cannon We Win? comprised of Blake Groenhout and Harrisson Cannon finished in third in 4:50:04.

Eva and Tim Magnusen captured the Mixed Team Relay title in 5:59:26.

Two videos were produced of the Waugoshance Trail Marathon and Half Marathon. The videos were produced by Art and Jennie McAfferty along with Gary Morgan of Michigan Runner and the Running Network. The team also produced a short video overview of the Great Lakes Endurance Trail Running Series.

The Detroit Runner, an informative running blog written by Jeffery Williams, also captured a fresh perspective on the Waugoshance Trail Run. Williams ran the half marathon at Waugoshance and finished

Overall winners in all races won Patagonia Trail Running Shoes. The top three in each age group for all races were awarded hand crafted ceramic bowls by artist Stephen Stuchell of Petoskey.