UPDATED - RESULTS: Haapala and Olson win 2021 Muffin Race

The 27th Annual Junior Muffin Freestyle Race was one for the books! Nearly 70 junior racers, ages 2 to 19 years old, competed on a beautiful, mostly sunny day this past Sunday, February 28th, 2021 at Cross Country Ski Headquarters in Higgins Lake.

The XC Ski HQ grooming team of Mike and Butch Stockton prepared an outstanding 5km course for the older Muffin Racers (ages 13 and up). Conditions consisted of ground up old snow, which was fast in most places. All skiers chose to skate, and it was a tight race for many!

Pretty much sums up today's Muffin Race vibes! (Photo by Michael DeBruyn)

Arianne Olson had a great race, beating Arielle Jean by 14 seconds. Jean has won every other she has entered this season and will be this season's Michigan Cup Champion. Ella Gaylord came in third.

William Haapala added his 6th victory of the season, beating Ryan Miller and Josh Kerr, who battled it out to the very end. These three also finish the Michigan Cup as the top three junior men.

The Costume Contest was almost as close as the ski race! Girls Winner was Megan Speers in her giant green blow up suit. The Boys Winner was Jonah Strayer, dressed up as Uncle Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - definitely one of the more creative costumes we have seen!

Following the Junior Muffin Race was the Mini Muffin Races, which saw record turnout and equally amazing costumes! In true Muffin spirit and tradition, the older Muffin racers cheered on the young ones from the side lines, and helped direct them around the course. The 10-12 year old division skied about a 2.5km freestyle course, and all skiers gave it their all. One skier - Zail Roberts, age 11 - skied the Junior Muffin 5k, then raced the Mini Muffin 2.5k afterwards!

The Boys 10-12 Division was won by Bode Dykstra, followed by Grant Corlew in 2nd and Evan Steeno in 3rd. The Girls Division was won by Avery Kelly, with Eden Strayer taking 2nd, and Thalia Springborn in 3rd.

The largest Mini Muffin field was the 7-9 year old division, which had 14 racers total. They skied a quick 1km course due to lack of time before the rain was supposed to start (they really wanted a 2km course... next year they'll get it!). Hadley Corlew won overall and took first place for the Girls Division, followed by Parker Ford in second, and Alana Springborn in 3rd. The Boys Division was won by Reed Philip, followed by Noah Dornbas in 2nd, and Benjamin Majenovich in 3rd.

And last but not least was 6 and under division. These skiers - the cutest of the day, no doubt - skied about a 0-.5 km course with great gusto. Winning the Girls Division was Clara Wahl, followed by Skyler Budry in 2nd, and Jane Wahl in 3rd. For the Boys, Ford Jackson took first, followed by Jacob Dornbas and Yul Springborn - dressed as the most awesome skiing bumble bee you've ever seen!

Following the race was the hot dog lunch and awards ceremony outside on the sun deck. Overall it was a fantastic day, with lots of camaraderie among many age groups. A special thanks to the Nubs Nob Junior Nordic ski club for bringing a super enthusiastic bunch of kids to the Mini Muffin races, and to all families and racers who traveled from near and far to participate. We live for events like the Muffin Race, and are so grateful for everyone who helps encourage cross country skiing in our youth!

Congrats to all the kids for some great racing and excellent costumes, and a huge thanks to the parents and support crews for bringing them, and fostering a love of cross country skiing among our youth. It's days like yesterday that we live for!

See more photos from the 2021 Muffin Race!

Results from Mini-Muffin Races

Results from the timed High School division race