DULUTH, MINN. A new athletic event will be added to NorthShore Inline Marathon’s race weekend. NSIM Executive Director Skeeter Moore announced today that the NSIM team will be launching the Nation’s first rollerskiing marathon in 25 years on Saturday, September 17, 2011 following the start of the 16th annual NorthShore Inline Marathon.
“I am very pleased and excited to announce that the NorthShore Inline Marathon will be adding a rollerskiing division to the 2011 race, held on September 17 after the last wave of inline skaters” announced Skeeter Moore. “As the new Executive Director I am looking for ways to expand our event and rollerskiing is a perfect fit. This marathon distance race for rollerskiing is the first of its kind in the United States.”
Moore is also hopeful that the new rollerski division will positively accent the largest inline marathon in the nation and provide an opportunity for additional sport enthusiasts to enjoy the spectacular course that follows the shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Duluth.
Yuriy Gusev, Executive & Athletic Director of the Central Cross Country Ski Association & Community Olympic Development Program believes the NorthShore Rollerski Marathon can become a huge asset in the Nordic community and will provide an opportunity for many participants to experience cross country skiing as a year round sport and recreational activity.
Chad Salmela, Head Nordic ski coach at the College of St. Scholastic agrees. “Duluth is situated in the one of the densest populations of ski racers in the United States, and to date no event has emerged as the “big” rollerski race. Its timing in a skier’s training year is perfect for a test of fitness and fall competition prep whether getting ready for a full season of racing or just gaining Birkie fever. I think it’s a great step forward for NSIM and I believe the ski community will support the race as it grows.”
We would like to congratulate Haley Bock for being our very first entrant into the Inaugural NorthShore Rollerski Marathon! For Haley’s perseverance, we have awarded her with a lifetime complimentary entry to the race!
Haley is a high school student at Duluth East, starting her sophomore year this fall where she runs cross-country and skis in the winter. She’s been skiing since 3rd grade and started competing with the team in 8th grade. Haley also ran Grandma’s 1/2 Marathon this year in a blazing time of two hours and ten minutes!
This is her very first season of rollerskiing and we wish her the best of luck with all her athletic endeavors.
First Entrant!