(Gunflint Trail, MN) The 2nd Annual Ham Run Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run is just over a month away. Last year’s inaugural event found over 100 runners on the Gunflint Trail. Registrations are up for this year’s race on Sunday, May 3rd and it’s not surprising considering the great reviews from last year’s event.

Ben Fornear was thrilled with the 1st Ham Run and plans to attend this year as well. “A huge thank you to you and the planning crew for a fantastic race! For a first race, we were on the lookout for “first-year kinks.” By the way the day went, it felt like a well-polished event that had been going on for years. Amazing scenery, great aid stations, and best of all, great shirts. Another highlight was the environmental mission-from the reusable bags to the compostable cups.”

The Ham Run happens during the Gunflint Green Up and everything about the Run is green. In fact, the newest tagline for the event is, “The Greenest Race Around.” Last year organizers composted banana and orange peels, recycled as many materials as possible, provided transportation for runners and spectators and focused on as many green concepts as possible. This year will be no different with some runners re-using their bib numbers and a free tree seedling to all participants.

The scenic wilderness of the Gunflint Trail makes the Ham Run even more special. The hills provide both a challenge for serious runners and a good workout for everyone. The twists and turns and scenery make the course a one of a kind.

Registration is open for the 2nd Annual Ham Run Half-Marathon and 5k Fun Run. It will be a fun-filled day on the Gunflint Trail you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars, grab your running shoes and join running enthusiasts from all over on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady from Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

While we continue to celebrate winter with some very nice snow last weekend and beautifully groomed trails, we are also starting to dream of spring, summer cabins and canoe trips.

The Gunflint Trail has a booth at Canoecopia this year (going on now in Madison WI) and has a new book out called ‘Becoming a Boundary Waters Family.

Memories, stories and good family fun are what we are all about. Our goal is to take the mystery out of camping in the BWCAW. Not everyone grew up camping and paddling in the Boundary Waters but with a little help, we believe everyone is capable of having a great experience. Spend healthy, quality time with your kids. Leave the distractions behind and enjoy making memories this summer in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota.

The outfitters of the Gunflint Trail Association have put together a program of informational materials, seminars and a bit of extra help so that kids and parents can feel comfortable in the woods. Download our free package of “woods wisdom” to help you get started from our Boundarys Water Family website.

This photo is of Nancy and Dave Season and their two boys at Canocopia.

The Mush for a cure event is almost underway. Here’s a quick picture of what you’re missing if you’re not here. It may look crazy, but it’s a world of fun.
more pictures available right now at www.gunflintpines.com/newsletter

Pull on your pink pants and come on up the Gunflint Trail for the Mush for a Cure. It’s going to be a great day filled with fun for an even greater cause. You won’t want to miss the exciting Sourdough Start on Gunflint Lake at Noon in front of Gunflint Pines Resort. There are 35 teams ready to mush for a cure so please come and cheer them on.

You can watch mushers as they make their way down to Trail Center and the finish tent on Poplar Lake. There will be music, food and a prize for the most outrageous pink outfit. There’s going to be alot of pink around including Como Oil’s Pink Truck. You can even get your hair cut for a cure with the cost of the cut being donated to Mush for a Cure.

Last year’s Mush for a Cure raised $13,000. for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We hope to raise even more this year so please come and help us reach our goal of $20,000.

Activities will continue into the evening with Rod and Reel at Trail Center. We hope to see you there. It’s going to be snow mush fun.

Sue Prom and Mary Black

posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady from Voyageur Canoe Outfitters

This year the Mush for a Cure activities will be held on both Friday March 13th as well as Saturday March 14th. New this year is the opportunity to mingle with the mushers.

Trail Center will host Mingle with the Mushers on Friday evening. Mushers old and new will be there to talk about their interesting mushing lifestyle. Local Gunflint Trail resident Ted Young who was part of the original Beargrease will be there as well as Mark Black, winner of the 2005 Beargrease. There will be a free spaghetti feed for Mush for a Cure participants and others may eat for a nominal charge. It will be a great way to start out the weekend’s events.

It appears as though everyone wants to help raise money for the Mush for a Cure Event. The Cook County News Herald is featuring the Mush for a Cure in their paper and half of the proceeds of the ads placed for the event will be donated to Mush for a Cure.

Andrea Peterson of Studio 61 Hair will be cutting for a cure at Trail Center on Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. People can walk in, pay a minimum donation of $10 for men or $15 for women and all of the proceeds will to go Mush for a Cure.

Grab your pink outfit and head for the Gunflint Trail for the Third Annual Mush for a Cure Fundraiser on March 14, 2009.

Posted by the Boundary Waters Blog Lady from Voyageur Canoe Outfitters