This week, Kim Emerson, the race director of the Journeys Marathon is presenting the event she and her team organize next May.
Hello, on May 8th 2010, you’ll be organizing the Journeys Marathon can you tell us where it is located?
The Journeys Marathon is located and based out of Eagle River, WI. Eagle River is located in the Northeast part of Wisconsin near the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The actual start line is located near Boulder Junction, WI on County Highway K.
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How old is the marathon and why was it created in the first place?
We will be hosting our 14th Journeys Marathon on May 8th, 2010. Journeys Marathon was created to bring people, other than anglers and hunters, to the Northwood’s in springtime. The target audience was silent sports minded individuals and families – runners. Who better to appreciate and experience the tranquility and beauty of the Northwood’s.
The event was also created to get two communities to work together to promote the Northwood’s – the Eagle River area as a whole. Thus the title “Journeys Marathon…because life is not a destination” was created – a “journey” between two communities and …because life is not a destination meaning we all need to experience new places and to move about from one place to another.
The race name originated from a committee of volunteers who were working on a grant to promote the Eagle River area as a prime destination to experience and to encourage a group of people who otherwise might not have chosen to come to the Eagle River area.
What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
Journeys Marathon (26.2 miles) starts out with some hills for the first half of the race. There are a few tough hills but none that can’t be concurred. Then the race is a gradual downhill push to the end with a few small hills along the way.
Journeys Marathon is run in a rural setting. The entire race until you approach Eagle River is run through the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. This is a very scenic run where nature is all around you. Journeys Marathon is run on asphalt paved roads.
How many runners do you expect on Saturday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
Full Marathon ~ 150 runners, Half Marathon ~ 500 runners, Power Walk ~ 100 walkers and 5K ~ 300 runners
h5. Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?No other races
At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Temperatures during warm up for the race are in the upper 30’s to lower 40’s. During the running portion of the race temperatures range from mid 40’s to upper 50’s. Temperatures for the finish of the race are usually upper 50’s to lower 60’s. Overall weather has been either a misty day, overcast or complete sunshine.
Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
We do not plan any festivals around the marathon. The marathon itself is very eventful and Eagle River provides an abundance of recreational opportunities for the runners. There is a post race celebration where runners and guests can attend a buffet dinner, enjoy live music and have a chance to receive many door prizes. The purpose of the post race celebration is to bring everyone together at the end of the day for a chance to share stories of the day.
The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Eagle River before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
Eagle River is a tourist town in the beautiful, scenic Northwood’s. Eagle River is known for two major things: “The Snowmobile Capital of the World” and for its World’s Largest Chain of Fresh Water Lakes – 28 connected lakes”. Another attraction to the area is most of the property in the area is either count, state or nationally owned. We have a great deal of recreational opportunities available from hiking and biking, to boating, canoeing and fishing, to shopping, attractions and special events, to many wonderful restaurants of all kinds. The Northwood’s is a very relaxing atmosphere where everyone is welcome and there is something for everyone to do.
In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Journeys Marathon?
Come (take a Journey through the Northwood’s) run with nature in a wonderful
Journeys Marathon: come take a Journey through the Northwood’s at a challenging and inspirational race that starts with a natural woodland backdrop on rustic roads, while meandering through the Northern American Legion State Forest and passing many scenic northern Wisconsin lakes along the way – a race not to be missed.