Silent Sports Shorts: February 2008 ENCORE PRESENTATION DOCUMENTARY "SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON" FEB. 21 Grandma's Marathon moves registration online Inaugural Chippewa Moraine 50K to run on Ice Age Trail April 12 Tornado-hit Bear Paw Resort to reopen Time to seek entry into the Chequamegon Fat Tire races First-time Timber Ridge Suds & Snow set for March 1 Registration now open: Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run and 5K Fitness Walk Oshkosh Half Marathon extends early bird deadline to Feb. 15 Chicagoland bicycle programs forum Feb. 9 Ski, snowshoe or walk by candlelight in Minnesota state parks Chicago conference to focus on reducing transportation emissions Land donated for new TWIN CITIES AREA wildlife management area

ENCORE PRESENTATION DOCUMENTARY "SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON" FEB. 21

Due to popular demand, "Spirit of the Marathon" will be shown in select movie theatres nationwide a second night on Thursday, February 21. More than a sports event, "Spirit of the Marathon" follows six runners' journeys as they prepare for and ultimately face the challenge of the 2005 Chicago Marathon.

The film will be shown February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in more than 200 AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA Inc., Goodrich Quality Theaters, Marcus Theatres, and Regal Entertainment Group movie theatres through NCM's Digital Broadcast Network.

Tickets will be available now at presenting theatre box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of presenting theatre locations, please visit the website (theatres are subject to change).

"Spirit of the Marathon" is the collaborative effort of three-time Academy Award winner Mark Jonathan Harris, Telly Award winner and marathon runner Jon Dunham and producer/marathoner Gwendolen Twist.

Runners and non-runners alike will enjoy a "Behind-the-Scenes" featurette that includes interviews with the director and producers, dramatic race footage, as well as a Q&A session with Olympians Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall in a 2008 Olympics preview.

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Grandma's Marathon moves registration online

Out with the old, in with the new. For runners looking to participate in one of the three feature races during the 2008 Grandma's Marathon weekend, June 19-21, the new year brings with it a transition to online registration. 

For the first time in more than three decades, registrants will no longer be required to mail a paper entry form and check. Instead, online registration at www.GrandmasMarathon.com for the 32nd running of Grandma's Marathon began January 17.

Grandma's Marathon-Duluth Inc. has partnered with MarathonGuide.com to provide 2008 online registration services for Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K. Registration for all three races will be conducted solely through www.GrandmasMarathon.com.

MarathonGuide.com was launched in 2000 as a one-stop resource for "everything marathoning." In addition to providing online registration capabilities, the company's website attracts more than 22,000 unique visitors to its site every day and boasts the largest directory of U.S. and international marathons online.

"The response that we have received from our runners has been tremendous and we are equally excited about this opportunity to offer the convenience and ease of registering online," says Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon. "The entire process takes just a few minutes and entry confirmation is virtually instantaneous. We could not be happier with our decision to make this conversion to a more streamlined registration process."

For more information regarding 2008 online registration, visit www.Grandmas Marathon.com or call 218/727-0947.

2008 Grandma's Marathon online registration schedule

• Grandma's Marathon (Limited to first 9,500 entrants) Registration opened Jan. 17
   
• Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (4,500 entrants selected via lottery) Lottery registration is open Feb. 20 through March 2
   
• William A. Irvin 5K (Limited to first 1,200 entrants) Registration opens Wed., March 19

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Inaugural Chippewa Moraine 50K to run on Ice Age Trail April 12

Ultramarathoners will welcome a new event on the Ice Age Trail in northwestern Wisconsin on April 12. The Chippewa Morraine 50K will start and finish at the interpretive center of the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age State Recreation Area near New Auburn, about 35 miles north of Eau Claire.

The course will follow the rolling, 100 percent forested singletrack of the Ice Age Trail.

According the event website, runners will "meander through hardwood oak savannas, cedar swamp, pine needle sections, outwash plains, marshes, across boardwalks and near 40 different kettle lakes and bogs in multiple directions."

"One of the most beautiful trail races you'll ever run," the organizers promise.

Aid stations will be approximately four miles apart. 

There will be an 11-hour cutoff to complete the course and a 300-runner cap. Runners will receive technical T-shirts and a post-race dinner.

The fee is $45 before March 1, $55 after that date. Net proceeds will go toward the preservation and expansion of the Ice Age Trail.

For more information and to register, go to www.chippewa50.com or e-mail race director Wynn Davis at wyn ncd@yahoo.com.

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Tornado-hit Bear Paw Resort to reopen

Rebuilding of the Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort is under way in Langlade, Wisconsin.

On June 7, 2007, Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort was devastated by a tornado. Since then, the owners, their friends, family and customers have all pitched in to clean up the extensive damage. Most of the building debris is picked up now, and the logging is complete.

There are plans this winter to erect a chalet-style duplex on the grounds. A new restaurant is also on the drawing board.

The resort is slated to reopen April 15 with a new campground with nine sites, four rustic cabins and two yurts. The resort will also resume canoe and kayak classes and rentals as before. The specialty retail business, which focuses on paddlesports and other outdoor gear, is also expected to begin anew.

Many people have asked how they can help the popular resort get back on its feet.

"The best way to help is to schedule your 2008 stay," the owners stated on their website. "We want to see all of you great folks who helped to pull us through this trying event. We still will need help with the brush clearing and chipping and staining for the new building. We will try to provide an electronic weekly work schedule.

For the schedule and more information, e-mail info@bearpawoutdoors.com or call 715/882-3502

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Time to seek entry into the Chequamegon Fat Tire races

February may be the peak of the snow sports season but it is also time to focus on off-road cycling in the months to come. Along with wax selection, firm tracks and many kilometers for Nordic skiing, February is also time to focus on getting your hands on a Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival entry blank.

On September 12-14, Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisconsin, will be the site of the 26th running of the nation's most popular multiday off-road bicycle event. Some think the toughest part of the event is just getting in.

With the point-to-point off-road bicycle events limited to 2,500 riders, potential Chequamegon participants nervously look forward to the spring registration lottery. To be included in the random registration lottery, race-day hopefuls must obtain, complete and send in their entry blanks with payment by the March 15 postmark deadline. Shortly after that date, 1,700 riders for the Chequamegon 40 and an additional 800 for the 16-mile Short & Fat will be selected for the 2008 event.

Entry blanks can be obtained in two ways. First, from early February to March 15, the entry form can be downloaded from the event's website at www.cheqfat tire.com. Those preferring the U.S. postal route must send in a self-addressed stamped business size envelope in a timely fashion before the postmark deadline.  A hard copy of the entry blank is sent to those sending in a SASE.

To be included in the random drawing, lottery participants must meet the March 15 postmark deadline for returning their completed entry form and fee payment to the event headquarters. Entries mailed after the postmark deadline will not be included in the drawing.

Fat tire racing and fat tire fun in the Northwoods is the reward for the 2,500 lucky riders selected in the drawing.  After the entries are randomly selected and processed, confirmation cards notify those who have been accepted. Those who are not picked in the lottery drawing receive a "better luck next time" letter along with the return of their submitted entry fee. Each year after the event limits are reached, nearly 1,000 unpicked entry submissions are returned to their senders.

For complete details of the registration lottery procedure and other event information, visit the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival website, www.cheqfattire .com. Direct all correspondence to CFTF, P.O. Box 267, Cable, WI 54821, call 715/798-3594, e-mail cheqfat@cheqnet.net or stop by the event headquarters at Telemark Resort in Cable.

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First-time Timber Ridge Suds & Snow set for March 1

Traverse City, Mich., fundraiser will combine brews and snowshoes

The new signature event of Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, Michigan, is  Suds & Snow, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 1. Guests will be strapping on their beer tastin' snowshoes at this original celebration of two lesser known area pastimes: beer tasting and snowshoeing.

Music, beer, food and fun on the trails will culminate at this new annual fundraising event. This year, Bethany, a family foster care and adoption agency with a location in Traverse City, will receive net proceeds from the event (with a minimum of that donation to be $5 per entry). The donation will be made by the Timber Ridge Charitable Foundation.

About a dozen Michigan breweries - including local favorites Short's, Traverse, and newly opened Right Brain - will be offering ales, wheats, IPAs and stouts. Soups and sandwiches from Mackinaw Brewing and other local restaurants are also on the menu. Live music from the Windy Ridge Boys, winter volleyball and fun out on the trails - including a tented trail station - can be expected.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, while they last. Call Timber Ridge at 231/947-2770 for ticket-selling locations. Purchase includes commemorative pint glass, two tasting tickets and a trail pass for on-site pick up. Additional beer and food tasting tickets are $1 each.

Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, located at 4050 Hammond Road East in Traverse City, provides access to the popular VASA trail system and nationally renowned events, like the North American VASA and Iceman Cometh Challenge mountain bike race.

Visit www.TimberRidgeResort.net for more information.

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Registration now open:
Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run and 5K Fitness Walk

Registration is open for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Run and 5K Fitness Walk on Sunday, March 30. The annual kick off to the spring running season will feature an 8K run through the city, starting and finishing in Grant Park, and a 5K fitness walk along the lakeshore.

New for 2008 will be a wave start for 8K participants. Visit www.shamrock shuffle.com for more details and to register for this year's race. Registration will close at 30,000 participants.

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Oshkosh Half Marathon extends early bird deadline to Feb. 15

Organizers of the Oshkosh Half Marathon on April 12 have extended the early bird fee of $30 until February 15. The fee goes up to $40 after that date.

Training runs for the Oshkosh Half Marathon will begin on Saturday, February 2, and continue every Saturday at 7:30 a.m. until the event. The training runs will start at the New Moon Cafe in Oshkosh and will be led by the Pacesetters Running Club.

For more event information, call 800/429-8044 or go to www.midwest sportsevents.com.

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Chicagoland bicycle programs forum Feb. 9

Share and learn ways to create successful and sustainable community bicycle programs in the Chicago metro area 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, February 9, at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave.

The forum is offered by the Chicagoland Consortium to Support Community Bike Programs and West Town Bikes. For more information or to RSVP, please e-mail sarahm@westtownbikes.org or call Keith at 312/427-3325, ext. 244.

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Ski, snowshoe or walk by candlelight in Minnesota state parks

Make plans now to attend one or more of the many candlelight ski, snowshoe and hiking events taking place in Minnesota state parks this winter.

"Making your way along a forested trail lit by luminaria is an experience you will never forget," said Courtland Nelson, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Parks and Recreation.

Illuminated trails are one to two miles in length over easy to moderate terrain and perfect for skiers of all abilities. Luminaria or lanterns are placed at intervals to guide participants along the trail. Most parks have warming shelters where friends groups provide hot drinks and snacks.

All candlelight events are free and no advance registration is needed. Most events are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

If snow is lacking, events may change to candlelight walks. In case of extreme cold weather, events may be canceled. Call the parks or check the website www.mnstateparks.info for current information.

Sat., Feb. 9: Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Hike - 6-9 p.m. - Rice Lake State Park (Owatonna) 1.5-miles of cross-country ski trails and a half mile of foot paths will be illuminated. Hot beverages and baked goodies at the park office.

Fri., Feb. 15: Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe - 6-9 p.m. - Jay Cooke State Park (Carlton) Cross-country ski 5K or snowshoe one mile of candlelight trails. Warm-up fire and free refreshments. Meet at the River Inn Visitor Center in the park. Snowshoes are available.

Sat., Feb. 16: Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Walk - 6-8:30 p.m. - Gooseberry Falls State Park (Two Harbors) Ski two miles, snowshoe a one-mile loop trail or walk a half mile of candlelight trails. Warm up fire and free refreshments.

Sat., Feb. 16: Candlelight Ski and Walk - 5-8 p.m. - Fort Snelling State Park (Twin Cities) Cross-country ski loops of one, two or three miles or walk a one mile lighted trail around and through Pike Island. Roast marshmallows at an outdoor fire or have a hot beverage inside the visitor center.

Sat., Feb. 16: Candlelight Ski - 6-10 p.m. - Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (Onamia)

A one-mile circle route and a separate 2.5-mile trail between the park's trail center and interpretive center will be lighted. Refreshments will be served and nature films shown. A shuttle bus will run continuously between the trail center and interpretive center. Ski rental is available.

Sat., Feb. 16: Candlelight Ski - 6-9 p.m. - Sand Dunes State Forest - 5 miles west of Zimmerman A 1.5-mile loop will be lighted. Bonfire and free hot chocolate.

Sat., Feb. 23 Candlelight Ski and Walk - 6-10 p.m. - Father Hennepin State Park (Isle) The public is invited for an evening of cross-country skiing (or hiking) on candlelight trails. Refreshments and ski rentals will be available. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Father Hennepin State Park.

Sat., Feb. 23: Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Walk - 6-8 p.m. - McCarthy Beach State Park (Side Lake) Ski, snowshoe or walk 1.5 miles of groomed trails along Side Lake. Hot beverages and a campfire.

Sat., Feb. 23: Candlelight Snowshoe and Hike - 6-8:30 p.m. - Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Two Harbors) Snowshoe 1.5 miles round-trip, hike the shoreline of Lake Superior or head into the woods on a half mile of candlelight trails. Hot beverages, a wood fire and instrumental music at the trail center. Limited number of snowshoes available for rent.

March 1: Candlelight Ski - 6-9 p.m. - Scenic State Park (Bigfork) Ski one mile of luminaria-lighted trail. Hot beverages and a fireplace will be offered.

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Chicago conference to focus on reducing transportation emissions

Municipalities and city planners will gain the necessary tools to create change in their communities' travel habits at Modeshift, Feb. 28 at the Metcalf Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago.

Transportation is responsible for 31 percent of all greenhouse gases. Converting car trips to walking, biking, and mass transit can greatly diminish transportation's impact on the environment.

From funding opportunities to social marketing, the conference will give participants the essential skills and resources to calculate their community's transportation carbon footprint and reduce it significantly.

"Many public leaders want to repair the damage that transportation has had on the environment. Modeshift participants will walk away knowing how to do just that," said Rob Sadowsky, executive director of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

Keynote speaker Martha Roskowski of Go Boulder offers a first-hand account of a similar effort to transform travel habits in Boulder, Colo. The program provides Boulder residents with alternative resources for exploring the community, such as bus schedules, bike routes, and walking paths.

Registration is $35 for Chicagoland Bicycle Federation members and $45 for non-members. Modeshift runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, with check-in starting at 8:30 a.m. Lunch is included. Register at www.biketraffic.org/modeshift.

Modeshift is the fifth annual Healthy Streets Conference and is presented by the U.S. EPA and the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. The event is co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Council, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

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Land donated for new TWIN CITIES AREA wildlife management area

Nearly 200 acres of prime wildlife habitat about half an hour from Minneapolis will be preserved as public open space thanks to the legacy of a Twin Cities leader who died more than three years ago.

Located between the cities of Delano and Independence on Highway 12 in western Hennepin County, the new Robina Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a picturesque mix of wetlands and wooded uplands with old maples, oaks and basswood. The WMA includes more than one mile of undisturbed shoreline on Robina Lake. It will be open to the public for hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, birding and cross-country skiing.

The property, valued at more than $4 million, was donated to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by the Robina Foundation, which was founded by the late James H. Binger to encourage and financially support significant and innovative projects at four institutions: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the Council on Foreign Relations, the University of Minnesota Law School

and Yale University. A well-known philanthropist, former Honeywell chairman and theater entrepreneur, Binger died in November 2004.

"This is a gift of enormous value to the people of Minnesota," said DNR Regional Wildlife Manager Tim Bremicker. "With the state's population increasingly concentrated in the growing metro region, protecting wildlife habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities close to where people live is vital to the future of conservation."

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