Copper Peak Trails Fest draws bike riders, runners

By MEGAN HUGHES

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Ironwood Township - Outdoor enthusiasts gathered at Copper Peak for the annual Copper Peak Trails Fest last weekend for a series of bike and foot races.

This year, races were split across two days, with more traditional cross country races, kids races and route walk taking place early Saturday, and the downhill enduro races held Sunday. The enduro races included a series of timed downhill runs, according to Race Director Dustin Filippini.

Brothers Vincenzo, 6, and Roman, 3, Bekkala, participated in this year's Little Rippers kids' race, and agreed that they had a lot of fun. The race had adults running alongside the kids, dressed as a dinosaur and a bear.

"Roman got scared by the bear," said Vincenzo. The brothers agreed that the bear and dinosaur were their favorite part.

The Bekkalas ride their bikes on the Iron Belle Trail as a family, but this was the boys' first time riding at the Copper Peak Trail Fest.

Organizers estimated that around 25 kids participated this year, close to a record number.

Filippini explained that the kids' races had variable difficulties for the different age groups. "We had a shorter course and a longer course for kids of different ages. They all seemed to have fun."

Cheryl Bubitz of Green Bay, Wisconsin, participated in the 5-mile run along the trail.

"It was a nice route, but it was just hard to go up the hill," she said. Her time was one hour and nine minutes, she said.

Bubitz said she has run several other small races before, as she is training for a half-marathon, but that the Copper Peak was harder. "This was definitely the hardest one I've run."

"We had a decent turn out for the run, as well," said Filippini. "It went really well."

The cross country bike races are one of the biggest draws for the event. The seventh annual edition of the races brought several racers from Wisconsin, according to Filippini.

Greer Lundquist participated in the shorter bike race and came out of it smiling. Lundquist is from Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

"This was my second race at Copper Peak," she said. Lundquist has been participating in triathlons for a number of years, which is where she got her start biking.

"My boyfriend is on his last lap," she said. "I competed in the shorter one this year, I did the longer one last time, and I loved it. I can bike all day but not at that speed."

Lundquist spoke highly about the race and trail conditions. "It was absolutely perfect. I really love Copper Peak. I'm surprised I am not up here more often. This is my first time up here this year."

"It's definitely different, but it's really fun. It is well put together," she said.

Proceeds from the races will help fund trail maintenance and development through the Sisu Dirt Crew, said retired race director Paul Anderson.

"They will be going toward developing more downhill trails in the area, we developed one last year, and are hoping to do another this year," said Anderson.