Get the best rate and register today!
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2018 Race Pricing Schedule
Youth (age 24 and under) get a $25 discount when signing up on line for 50K/24K/15 Mile events.
50K, 24K & 15 Mile Events (Saturday)
- $100 by January 24, 2018
- $110 on January 26, 2018
12K (Saturday)
Adaptive/Sit Ski
“Wild Side of the Noque” (Sunday)
Fee schedule below for the following events: 20k Snow Bike, 10K Snowshoe, 5K Snowshoe & 10K Skijor 1 dog, 10K Skijor 2 dog
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2018 commemorative posters will be available for purchase at bag pickup/ski expo
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Current Course Conditions and Other Updates - All Courses Are A Go!
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As we near the Noquemanon weekend it will be important that participants visit the race website at
www.noquemanon.com
often. The Noquemanon trail is unique and course conditions can vary greatly on different sections of the course. Current trail reports are available at the bottom of the race website and are marked with the date of the report and event details will be update on the race pages. Our Facebook and Twitter page will have some updates as well so be sure to follow our channels for great content.
Be sure to take time to visit the registration and information table at the Ski expo on Friday January 26th. All final details will be available at that time along with bus schedules.
Course Updates (1/20/18):
COURSE PLANS
-
At this time we expect to have full courses for every event
and are excited to see you this upcoming weekend! There also happens to be significant weather approaching Monday night through the day on Tuesday - the precipitation is expected to be wet and heavy snow. Snow may be significant (10+ inches) with mild temperatures into the race weekend. Conditions on race weekend, at this time, look to be excellent, with plenty of snow, and mild temperatures in the 30's.
Tell your friends - the Noquemanon in Marquette County will be the place to ski next weekend!
Registration is open into Friday night at the Ski Expo. The race organization will keep an eye on conditions to help participants prepare in case the forecast turns on us. The National Weather Service in Marquette will be partnering with us this week to help provide race day forecasts.
MEAD HILLS BYPASS
- We will not be using our brand new Mead Hills bypass route for the 24K Half Noque this year. Due to the terrain on the new section, it's newness, and the excavator ruts created during our very wet November (when the trail was put in) we are not planning to get enough snow on this section to put 500+ skiers on it
safely
. We will instead use our historical Mead Hills Bypass that returning skiers will know. We are disappointed that the brand new section won’t work out for us this year but we’ll have time to get that squared away this upcoming summer and use it for 2019.
***IMPORTANT***
T
here is no access to this bypass trail apart from race day. No pre-skiing is allowed as this is privately owned land. Gates to this section will be closed and locked. If you are skiing near the bypass prior to race day and the gate is open do not proceed - the only access we have to this trail prior to Saturday Jan 27th is for trail preparation. If you are found on this section of trail prior to race day you will be putting our organizations relationships with local land owners in jeopardy and you may be disqualified from the race with no refund.
FINISH LINE and FINISH LINE PARTY
- A new finish line will be utilized this year at the "Log Yard" which is approximately 4K west of the Superior Dome. This new finish line allows the race organization to eliminate the last 4K section of the course that historically is the lowest in snow cover. Busing will be provided from the finish line to the Superior Dome via a very short commute and all participants will continue to have access to the world-class dome facilities which includes access to locker rooms, hot showers, and saunas. These buses will be available to spectators from the Superior Dome as well. The finish line will include a DJ, an announcer, restrooms, coffee & espresso from Velodrome Coffee Company, and a warming tent. Spectators are invited to come out and support participants at the new finish line! Parking will be limited at the Log Yard however – race organizers strongly encourage spectators to utilize the buses from the Superior Dome to the finish line. The buses will be looping. Please note that no parking will be allowed on the road into the Log Yard. We plan to have a live stream from the finish line to a screen in the Superior Dome as well.
BUS SCHEDULE
- B
us schedules for hotels, start lines, and the finish line will be available at the Ski Expo/Bag Pickup. Please take a copy and make note of the times and locations.
SHOWERS AND LOCKER ROOMS
- As always our facilities have great amenities. The Superior Dome has had a few changes recently so racers will want to be sure to follow signs to new showers, locker rooms, and (new this year) separate men's and women's saunas in the NMU PEIF building. The PEIF is connected to the Superior Dome by an enclosed walkway and is not a far walk. Drop your skis or snowshoes at the valet and take a shower or sauna to recover!
OTHER COURSE UPDATES
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The Deer Lake crossing and the Basin crossing are currently in good condition. There is some slush at the entrance and exit of the Basin but new snowfall that is expected may take care of much of that. The lower pond crossings at 3K to the finish are currently in excellent condition. A big thank you goes out to our trail crews that have worked hard to prep these areas for great conditions.
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Did you know
it takes approximately 500 volunteers each year to hold the Noquemanon Ski Marathon weekend?
Did you know
that each year the most consistent skier feedback we receive from the skier survey is that the Noquemanon has the best on and off course volunteer service out of any race completed?
Did you know
that some of our 8 on course aid stations have been staffed by the same service groups for all 20 years of the Noque? As you can tell, we take skier service seriously...and we need your help! The race organization provides training and some added benefits for helping...no experience is required! All that's needed is the desire to help and serve others well. To view our volunteer opportunities and sign up for volunteer spots go to our page on Signup.com:
Please consider volunteering your time and
sharing this information
with others you know so that we
can continue to offer a premier skiing event!
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Childcare and babysitting is available at the Superior Dome on Saturday Jan 27th by advance arrangements only. To arrange please contact Gretta at [email protected]. Arts and crafts supplies are sponsored by Chocolay Children's Center. So far there are no takers - if there are no takers into mid week we may not be able to accommodate. Please contact Gretta ASAP
.
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Wax Stations With Expert Advice at Ski Expo
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Down Wind Sports will be hosting several self service waxing stations at the Friday evening Ski Expo. Racers can purchase wax on site, or bring their own, and wax in the Superior Dome and a Toko rep will be on hand to provide expert advice and technical help. Thank you Down Wind Sports!
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Blackrocks Brewery - Official Beer Sponsor
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Blackrocks Brewery is once again Official Beer Sponsor and their 51K IPA is the official beer of the Noquemanon Ski Marathon. 51K IPA will be available for purchase at the Superior Dome.
P.S. a portion of all sales of the 51K IPA supports the building and maintenance of recreational trails in the area!
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Custom 20th Anniversary Noque Ski Poles
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Thank you to Andy at United States Ski Pole Company for the design of some custom 20th Anniversary Noque ski poles. They will be available at the Friday night Ski Expo/Bag Pick-up!
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The Noquemanon Ski Marathon is pleased to provide Hammer Nutrition products at all 8 on course aid stations for 2018 and we thank them for their generous support.
Aid stations will have water, bananas, HEED, and select aid stations will also have Hammer Gel. You can pick up additional Hammer products in town on Friday or visit the Hammer Nutrition website
here
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Free Race Photo Downloads
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Andy Gregg's MQT Photo.com will be on course taking racer photos again this year. Photo downloads will be free. Participants will be able to download photos at
www.marquettephoto.com
.
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Make plans now to attend the awards ceremony starting at 5:00pm EST in the Superior Dome on Saturday Jan 27th. The ceremony only lasts about 75 minutes and there are great raffle prizes including a grand prize raffle package. Previous years grand prize raffle packages have included skis, ski poles, ski equipment, and vehicle travel boxes! You must be present to win as tickets are given out just prior to the start of the ceremony. Age group winners will be able to pick up their bells at the awards table and overall winners will be invited on stage for the podium presentations. We will also be presenting the 20 year legacy skiers with a gift and our 15 and 10 year recognition pins will be available at the awards table with the age group bells as well. This is not something to miss and it is short enough that it won't take up your evening!
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Don't forget - there is much more to the Noquemanon Ski Marathon than just the skiing events. The WildSide of the Noque sponsored by
Eagle Mine
kicks off on Sunday January 28th and offers a spectator friendly multi event morning! The morning begins with the always popular Animoosh Skijour races with both 1 and 2 dog teams - this event has quite a bit of spectator interest and is a fun atmosphere. Two snowshoe distances of 5K and 10K give snowshoe runners some choices whether new to the sport or a serious runner out for a challenge. The 10K course receives rave reviews every year and is USSSA (United States Snowshoe Association) sanctioned. Finally, the 20K snowbike race offers snowbikers access to some trail that is only available to snowbikes during the Noquemanon weekend and considerable amounts of groomed snowbike singletrack. Consider extending your weekend by bringing your snowbike or running snowshoes - or your dog and harness if you skijour. Or, simply consider heading to the Forestville trailhead on Sunday morning to watch the fun! The schedule of events is as follows:
9:00am - Animoosh Skijour
(teams go off in 30 second intervals - race cap of 50 total teams for 2018)
10:00am - 20K Snowbike
10:10am - 5K and 10K Snowshoe
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Still looking for a place to stay on your Noquemanon weekend? The hotels below have partnered with the Noquemanon Ski Marathon and are available to make your trip as comfortable, and convenient, as possible. Race busing is available at these hotels and they are our preferred accommodation partners. Check the bus schedule and race packet at the Ski Expo/Bag Pick-up on Friday night for more details on the perks these businesses are offering Noquemanon racers!
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Upper Michigan's only upscale extended stay hotel. Architecturally reminiscent of Marquette's historical downtown, and with interior spaces reflecting the region's heritage, we offer our guests an upscale local experience. The hotel offers plenty of temperature controlled, underground parking units, to keep our guests warm and dry in the winter, and cool during the hot summer
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Make yourself at home in one of the 84 rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed, complimentary wired and wireless Internet access and satellite programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center, and a fireplace in the lobby
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Amidst the shops, restaurants and theaters of downtown Marquette, overlooking Lake Superior, discover a place that time forgot but that you never will — the Landmark Inn, featured in the New York Times . Old-world European splendor and charm meet modern convenience at our AAA Three-Diamond Marquette, MI hotel that welcomed its first guests as The Northland Hotel in 1930.
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A pleasant blend of rustic charm and modern accommodations awaits you at the Cedar Motor Inn. Family-owned over 45 years, our small-scale AAA diamond approved hotel is in Marquette, nestled against the north woods near the shores of Lake Superior. We offer the vacationer, the traveler or a business person 43 rooms to choose from, including a housekeeping cottage suite that can accommodate 2-4 people.
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Located within close proximity of Ojibwa Casino, Superior Dome, Lake Superior and Westwood Mall, our Marquette, MI Inn places guests close to all area business, dining and entertainment districts. Enjoy year-round activities in hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowmobile trails to discover why we're a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts.
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Thank You To All Of Our Sponsors
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The Noquemanon Ski Marathon is simply not possible without our wonderful sponsors. Please help us honor these establishments for their support of the Noquemanon and make these businesses your preferred vendors! Visit the race website for more details on our wonderful sponsors
.
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Don't forget to share your photos of skiing, training, and other Noque preparation on your preferred social media channels! The Noquemanon is on
Facebook
,
Twitter
, and
Instagram
. Use the hashtags:
#Noquemanon
and
#Noque
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The Noquemanon Ski Marathon is pleased to once again be a part of the CXC Marathon Cup Series.
The CXC Marathon Cup connects the premiere cross country ski events across the Central region. Sanctioned and scored by the
Central Cross Country Skiing
, presented by
AVANT Techno
, the Cup includes races in each of the three main states in the region - two races in Michigan, two in Wisconsin, and two in Minnesota.
The 2018 series is split between classic and skate racing, with two classic races, three skate weekends, and one skiathlon weekend.
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The Noquemanon Ski Marathon also continues its long tradition of being a part of the ASM Series.
Beautiful backdrops in America's most incredible winter playgrounds...courses that both challenge veterans as well as welcome novices...unparalleled organization at every event...world-class racers and entire families all with smiles from ear-to-ear. This is the American Ski Marathon Series!
Founded in 1978 as the "Great American Ski Chase". the American Ski Marathon Series (ASM) provides every level of cross country skier a thrilling chance to be part of a nationwide series of adventure, winter festivals and fun. Whether beginner, weekend warrior, casual tourer or professional racer -- every ASM event has something to offer you and your family.
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