The 2009 Run the Range Series commenced on Saturday with the John Jarvi Jr. Memorial Run.  The Series consists of 5 races in the Western UP of Michigan and Northwestern Wisconsin.  Here are the current standings:

Run the Range Standings - Women

Run the Range Standings - Men

Standings courtesy of Mark Massoglia.

Pictures from the Atomic Dash on May 16th, submitted by MS Kapoor. Many more pictures are available at Kapoor's Picasa Site.  Results are available here.

Moose Lake welcomed 261 runners, walkers and their fans with beautiful spring weather for the 9th annual Moose Run on Saturday, May 2. The weather helped make the event one of the best in years. The breeze was especially right for Eric Hartmark of Duluth. He set a new 10K course record of 32:09! The really wild part of the story is that Eric also holds the 5K course record (15:26) which he set in 2002. Great run, Eric! The top Female 10K runner was Star Anderson with a time of 41:40.
 
Jason Jorczak & Amanda Lepisto were the top Male & Female 5K runners. Jason had a time of 16:26. Amanda had a time of 20:00. The prize for the Best Costume went to Duane "Mr. Color" Coil of Sturgeon Lake. 

Mike Wipson from Proctor ran his first 10K and second race ever at Moose Lake. His very first run was September 14 and eight months and 75 pounds later, he is very excited for his first marathon, which he'll run at Grandma's! Mike originally started running for many reasons, including his health.

Dawn Dressely of Isle and Karen Burnett of Mora did their first race of the year at Moose Lake. They like to gather as a family in Moose Lake. Dawn has been a runner since high school and ran the 5K Saturday and is looking forward racing in Isle later this summer.

Melissa Johnson of Willow River and Jen Danelski of Stacy both ran the 10K Saturday. They have a full racing schedule ahead of them - this was already their 3rd race of the season and they're looking forward to the Stillwater Half Marathon, the Garry Bjorkland Half marathon and are still deciding on the Whistlestop Half as well.

The biggest winners of the day were all the families that gathered together for the event. The swings were full of children and Pro Sound was playing lively music. The Cub Scouts sold tickets to their fundraiser, the Moose Lake Choir raised funds to purchase new choir robes by serving coffee & treats and the Mary Bothwell Bone Marrow Drive registered more potential life savers. Mercy Foundation's marvelous moose mascot, Merciford Moose, anxiously waits for next year's Moose Run!

The Moose Run is held every year on the first Saturday in May.

Race Report and pictures both by Rick Bothwell and Samantha Carlson.

The second Ham Run Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run were held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 during the Gunflint Green Up. It was a gorgeous day for a run on the Gunflint Trail, the trail less traveled. The sun was shining, the temperature was in the mid 50’s and the participants were excited to be out celebrating the Gunflint Green Up.

The Green Up isn’t just about planting trees or the fact the trees are getting their leaves and turning green. It's about being green and learning how to be mindful of the precious resources not only on the Gunflint Trail but all over the world.Participating in the Ham Run is a way to support sustainable eco-tourism and celebrate the incredible wilderness environment.

There isn't another race like the Ham Run out there. The wilderness, solitude and beauty of the Gunflint Trail offer a route in a league of its own. Two timber wolves were the first on the course that morning followed by a moose who watched runners pass by from the side of the road.Eagles soared overhead while loons yodeled their victory call to the participants at the finish line.

The green practices implemented at the Ham Run have earned the race the distinction of being a Race Without A Trace. Endurance Magazine has given this prestigious seal of approval to only nine other races in the United States The Ham Run Race Directors minimized the use of paper by using online registrations only. All dinnerware for the post-race meal was recycled green ware including plates, napkins, forks, spoons and knives. The race cups were compostable and made from corn and the race t-shirts were made from recycled material.Orange and banana peels were composted, recyclables were sorted and only two bags of garbage were filled by the over 300 people in attendance. Runners were encouraged to reduce emissions by using the transportation provided and by planting a tree seedling they were given after the race.

Runners of every age and ability participated in the day’s event. The Little Runts Run saw children as young as two years old racing. The 5k Fun Run had both walkers and runners alike and Half-Marathon competitors were a mix of amateurs and pros. In all the Ham Run Event brought over 100 racers from outside of Cook County including folks from five different states and Canada.

The upbeat attitudes of the Ham Run participants and volunteers alike brought a festive theme to this green event.The celebration of the spring renewal of the forest and of one’s renewal with nature makes the Ham Run a one of a kind Run.Join other outdoor enthusiasts on the Trail Less Traveled during next year's Ham Run on Sunday, May 2, 2010.

Race recap submitted by Sue Prom; pictures submitted by Kate Fornear and Sue Prom.