Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By CHARITY SMITH
MERCER, Wis. — The MECCA Trails Winterfest was live and in-person on Saturday, for the first time since 2020.
Thirty-five people participated in the live events, which included the Flowage 15k skate, the Flowage 15k classic, and the 5k Claire D’ Loon Race. “It was just enough to make it an exciting event and some camaraderie. People enjoyed seeing each other,” said Mike Shouldice, president of the MECCA Trails Association. According to Shouldice at least another 65 people will be participating in the event virtually this year.
“The virtual event has proven to be more popular this year than the live event,” he said. “But between the two of them this year we’ll have over 100 participates, which is a huge success in our mind, because I think last year we had sixty something. So we’re not double, but I’m guessing we’ll get to 110 or so by the time the virtual is over.”
Shouldice said that it turned out to be a very nice day for the event. He said the weather was just right. “You never know when you plan an event in July. When you pick a date in February you don’t know if it’s going to be 30 below or 45 above and raining. So we just lucked out and had really good weather,” said Shouldice.
The Flowage 15k skate proved to be the most popular event this year, Shouldice said. He said the event, which leaves from the chalet trailhead and goes west across the Little Turtle Flowage to Voss Lake and then loops around and comes back, really showcases the beauty of the trail system.
“The objective of the events right from the start has been to create a winter celebration, engage the community and showcase the trail system,” said Shouldice.
The non-competitive Mercer Springs Snowshoe Tour, was the second most popular event this year, he said. The event was created last year and offers participates a chance to utilize the 1 mile Klondike Loop and the two mile Mercer Springs loop, which connect. Shouldice said that it is not timed, but it allows people to enjoy the beauty of the wetlands and go for a “little” walk in the woods.
The winners of each event, both overall and in each age category, were given blue MECCA Winterfest hats. Following the events participates were able to warm up in the chalet with “edible hand-warmers,” aka pasties.
The Mercer EMS and Rescue Squad was on standby for the event, but no calls were reported.
Shouldice credited all the volunteers for helping to create another great community engaging event. He said the events are volunteer-driven and would not have been possible without all their time and labor.
The event is a collaborative fundraising event with the Gogebic Range Health Association to raise money for the trails association. The foundation will match the funds raised for the event up to $8,000. This year the event raised $12,000 in sponsorships alone. The amount of funds raised will not be totaled until after the virtual event ends on Feb. 18.
Overall winners from Saturday’s races were:
Claire d’Loon 5k Male: Bill Konieczki, 68, Stevens Point, 28:07.3.
Claire d’Loon 5k Female: Ashley Ondresky, 43, Neenah, 31:13.6.
Flowage 15k Classic Male: Robert Silvis, 65, Presque Isle, 1:38.56.1.
Flowage 15k Classic Female: Tara Gluski, 48, Marquette, Mich., 2:12:30.5.
Flowage 15k Skate Male: Paul Haltvick, 64, Washburn, 57:39.2.
Flowage 15k Skate Female: Paulette Niemi, 54, Ironwood, Mich., 56:23.7.
