Happy New Year! Isn't the first day of a new year exciting? Filled with hope, promise, and an opportunity to set new goals. In our first formal e-news, you will find the FLY AWARDS 2022, a race recap, gravel bike racing news, and two separate discounts for upcoming races that we'll be covering this winter and early spring.
As you start put together your 2023 racing calendar, have confidence that the winners of these categories would be a great start in your fitness journey. So without further ado, let's get started.
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Evan Bishop, First Overall Male, Blue Cross Blue Shield Resolution Run |
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From a blizzard to mild temps, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan 40th Annual Resolution Run had over 400 entered — a great crowd considering how so many had to choose between running or watching college football. The roads were dry and fast. EGR Native Evan Bishop took top honors while there was a lot friendly competition that involved Fireball and running cold and numb as well. This one has always been a FLY tradition and a great way to end the year. Now that we've shown 2022 to the door, we want to make sure you get your pictures from yesterday.
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Don Kern, The Groundhog, Groundhog Marathon, Millennium Park, Walker, Michigan |
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Embrace this Winter Challenge. |
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SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2023
Groundhog Day Marathon
Hope you have been taking advantage of the winter weather because you're going to need it. You know what they say, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." Groundhog is brought to you by the folks from the Grand Rapids Marathon and we promise that this is a race you're going to want to do at least once.
The diehards (athletes that have participated since 2013) and the other winter warriors who love being outside in the snow all show up. You can't beat the beautifully handcrafted groundhog trophies for the overall winners, good beer, Fireball, snot rockets, potentially sketch running conditions, warm food and freezing cold camaraderie.
This event was designed by athletes for athletes that like a challenge and make good use of tough winter running. We'll be out there walking the loop backwards while capturing pictures of the suffering too!
USE PROMO CODE FOR 10% OFF: TAKE10
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Alex Tenselhof, Hart Hills Gravel Race 2022, Hart Hills |
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The 2022 Spring Gravel Scene |
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SAVE THE DATE - SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023
Hart Hills Gravel Race - Hart, Michigan
You've probably heard that gravel bike racing is taking the world by storm, especially in Michigan. Road cyclists, mountain bikers, fat tire bikers, cyclocross cyclists, recreational riders and even foot scooters love getting out on the gravel to enjoy all that nature offers without the traffic dangers of a paved road. Hart Hills exemplifies these elements.
Difficulty: Moderate terrain with rolling, steep hills and moderate, sustained climbs.
Distances: 55 miles, 25 miles, 10 miles or 5 miles. The start and finish are at Hart Pizza in downtown Hart. Riders head out east into the sunrise, and then south and eventually cross through downtown Shelby. The 25 mile route heads back to Hart through Mears. The 50 mile route brings you within a short distance of Lake Michigan and then brings you back north east to downtown Hart where hot pizza and cool brews await all finishers.
Cash prizes go to the top three male and female overall finishers in the 50 mile race. Age group winners in the 50 mile and 25 mile will be recognized with unique medals and ribbons. The race is chip timed by Epic Race Timing.
USE ROLLBACK CODE: hartstellarollback *expires 1/7/23
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Michigan Gravel Race Series |
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The Michigan Gravel Race Series is a points series composed of 17 uniquely different gravel centric events. Riders may choose to challenge themselves in the Mini, Short, Long or Ultra course series in several categories from youth, open, women, fatbike, singlespeed and tandem. Racers registered for the series will accumulate points at events throughout the season. It's a great way to challenge cyclists of all abilities and have a great roster of races offering up some of the best courses Michigan gravel has to offer!
New for 2023 are the Cedar Blitz and Fast Fitty. These two events have been out there a few years, have grown in popularity and have now joined the MGRS. Also, watch out for the Train Out Pain Chiropractic Mini Course Series, which consists of the points accumulated at the shortest distances at 10 select events. These range from 10 to 24 miles. The Mini Series will feature FREE Youth 17 and Under registration.
Another exciting announcement is the 100 mile Coast Loop and the Moran 66 mile races that have been added to the Long Course series giving all of the Long Course racers 17 events to choose from!
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I Love Gravel Race Series |
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In 2022, Don and Pamela Harper started the I Love Gravel Racing Group. In a short amount of time, the group soared exponentially with over 1100 members. They took on another adventure and added I Love Gravel Racing Points Series for 2023. They currently have 13 races in their series that sprawl across the USA and Canada participating as Premier Races and expecting to have the Series grow as it becomes more visible. Championship jerseys will be awarded to the Male and Female winners in the series.
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We're glad you're here. You'll keep receiving these emails until you tell us otherwise.
And don't worry, we plan on keeping this a monthly newsletter as an attempt to keep you around. If you decide to unsubscribe, no worries, we'll see you at the races!
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