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Cool, Fall like weather swept into the Upper Peninsula for the 9th Annual Grand Island Marathon. Several inches of rain fell the day before and while most of the course was resilient to the down pour, five to six 1world class water holes set themselves up on the remote north end. Eric Houghton, a veteran trail racer with Team Endurance Evolution, danced gracefully through several of the water obstacles before deciding to just run straight through the middle of one. He quickly found himself plunging downward into the mud. Not deterred, he managed to jump up and race hard down the western shore of the island, holding off challenger Ed Roginski of Macomb, MI by just over a minute. Houghton, slowed by the wet conditions, crossed in 3:03:37 to capture his second Grand Island Marathon title. He won the race in 2011 in 2:49:59. Roginski looked strong as he finished second in 3:05:01. Kyle Kiel, of Alden, MI captured third over all for the men in 3:08:50. In addition to the water holes, the waves on Trout Bay Beach were the largest in race history. The pounding surf ensured wet shoes after the mile long beach stretch. Only eight runners were able to achieve a sub 8:00/mile pace.

While Houghton is seasoned trail and ultra runner, 20 year old Miriah Hagy of Bath,MI was running her2 first trail marathon. She surprised herself with a victory, crossing the line with a big smile in 3:41:56. Gala Malherbe (Marquette, MI), a verteran of many GLE events trailed Hagy by only two and half minutes, finishing second in 3:44:20. Rebecka Jensen of North Platte, Nebraska rand a strong race to finish third in 3:56:36. Only five women broke four hours including 4th place finisher Nancy Schubring of Novi, MI (3:57:24) and Brittany Richard of Garden, MI (3:58:56).

Rick Cahoon, cross country coach at Shepard (MI) High School, won the half marathon convincingly in 1:22:29. Cahoon was returning to the trail after winning national titles on the track in both the 5,000m and 10,000 m run at the USATF Masters Championships in Olathe, Kansas a few weeks ago. Anthony Steeno of Traverse City crossed in 1:30:23 to finish second while Jeff Mitchell of Rochester Hills captured third overall in 1:35:07.

The women’s half marathon field was the largest division of the day with 159 runners. Becky Sue Kugler ran a smart race on the hilly course, finishing in 1:44:29 for the win. Deborah Deren of White Lake, MI was less than three minutes back in 1:47:15. Chasing Deren was Rebecca Selesky of Gregory, MI who finished third in 1:47:29.

3Overall male and female winners in each race were awarded new Patagonia Trail Running Shoes. The top five in each age group for both races won hand blown glass medallions by artist Rick Shapero. All other finishers received custom made maple hardwood medallions by craftsman John P. Wilson.

Complete results and photos are now available for viewing.

A total of 474 runners competed on the island this year, representing 35 states and 3 Canadian provinces. The race is made possible through support from the US Forest Service and many volunteers including island residents, the Munising Bay Trail Network, and the Munising Kiwanis Club. The event provides financial support for native plant restoration on the island, sustainable bike and running trail construction in the Munising area and educational scholarships for Munising High School students.