Many volunteers helped set up, donate and work at these "aid" stations, as well as at crossings at busy streets and in the middle of the long "legs".   Special thanks for sponsoring the aid stations: Vanderbilt: John Walters and Trout Unlimited; Ralph Ochs and the Wolverine Village Council; Indian River  Indian River Physical Therapy and Kiwanis,  Dawn Bodnar and the Indian River Chamber of Commerce; Topinabee--Excel Physical Therapy,  Cheboygan -- Matt Friday,  Mackinaw City -- Chamber of Commerce and their great volunteers, Trails Council and The Depot.

The directors and volunteers at the end of the race heard nothing but big praise for how well organized the race was and how friendly, helpful and encouraging the volunteers were all the way. Special thanks to the director, Jeff Winegard, to Margie Reh for the finish line-timing, the Indian River Striders (both runners and walkers) assisting at various spots/responsibilities. Also, Dave Maddix, Gaylord, who ran the entire 62.2 miles last year, ran the second leg for his team this year and then rode his bike behind the last runners this year.

The scenery, the lakes and streams, the colorful woods, the smooth, forgiving crushed lime-stone trail, the villages all made the trail a joyful, peaceful run, in spite of the weather.

Full results and photos can be seen on www.indianriverstriders.com website.  Results can also be seen on our website under the News and Events tabs.

Men’s overall winner was Roger Bonga from Grand Rapids in 9:43:51.  Women’s overall winner (as well as Master’s category winner at age 49) was Laura Waldo in 11:35:52 from Ludington, repeat women’s winner from last year.  Master’s winner (45+ category) for the men was Steve Giuliano from Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas in 11:25:08, Ken Arble from Canton, MI was second, with Tyler Kempema from Jenison coming in third.  Women’s Open Winner was Monica Pearson from Cadillac in 11:53:00, second place was Erin Smela from Petoskey, and Melissa Middleton from Waterford finished third for the women.

The winning team was Melonheads from Howell, SE Michigan and Chicago in a record-breaking time of 6:41:44 (6:27 pace).  Melonheads teammates were Brad Armstrong (49), Robert Cameron (26) , Tom Halm (57) Jeff Goodfellow (41), Leo Foley (31) and Chris Glowacki  (57).  Last year’s first place team finished second overall this year, the P-town Punishers from Petoskey .  In 2011 they finished in 7:31:55, this year they beat their time with 7:27:56.  P-town runners were Dave Farley, Russ Carpenter, Todd Winnell, Pete Platte, Dave Lesh, and David Shuman, all from the Petoskey area.  The third overall team was from Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Sault Stryders.  They were awarded first in the handicap-adjusted division, times were adjusted based on a calculation taking age and gender into account.  The all-women 6-person team was Sole Sisters from Petoskey, finishing in 8:42:54.   The Sole Sisters teammates were Debbie Esposito, Jen Winnell, Sue Stewart, Erica and Jamie Swartzfisher and Anne Fleming.