Photo: The 3-mile racers take off for their 4-looped course along the ski trails at Pincushion Mountain. All photos by Tryg Solberg. 

By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - August 7, 2024

The North Superior Ski and Run Club hosted the annual Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run on Saturday morning. The event had nearly 150 participants between the 5-mile, 3-mile 1-mile, and quarter-mile races. Anton and Brienne Moody set up the courses that weaved throughout the well-maintained ski trails just up the hill from downtown Grand Marais. 

Under the men category, local 16-year-old Aulis Nelson won the overall 5-mile race in a time of 32:59, and 13-year-old Leif Lindstrom won the 3-mile in 21:13. For women, Maia Larson, 13, of Glenwood, MN, won the 3-mile in 24:42. Anna Watson from Marina, California won the 5-mile in 37:22. Kannon Long of Lakeland, MN won the 1-mile race in 6:51. Carter Smith of Grand Marais won the ¼ mile kids run in 59 seconds. 

Despite the significant heat and humidity that lingered on Saturday morning, competition was fierce and morale was high at Pincushion. Locals and visitors alike mingled around the chalet before and after races, enjoying the warm atmosphere that the club and area provide.

The Pincushion trails are regularly mowed throughout the season, but the current mower is moving on. The Club will be looking for someone else to take over the mowing operation, and they have a fleet of machines to do the work. 

Last year’s groomer capital campaign went swimmingly to purchase a Pistenbully 100, which now sits in storage at Pincushion. The poor winter snow made it difficult to groom with the new equipment but hopes are high for a better-than-average snow year!

The crowd of spectators and runners filled the lawn in front of the chalet before the start of the races on Saturday morning.

Anton Moody started the 1 mile race which took racers on a looped, hilly course at Pincushion Mountain.

 The kids' quarter-mile race took off from the stadium. 

 The 5-mile racers take off out of the stadium.

 The 5-mile racers take off out of the stadium.

 The leaders of the 3-mile race lapped through the crowd during the first of four laps.

 Aulis Nelson, a 16-year-old out of Grand Marais, won the men's 5-mile race in a time of 32:59.

 Anna Watson out of Marina, California won the 5-mile women's race in 37:22.

Chris O'Brien of North Superior Ski and Run Club showed the newly purchased PistenBully 100 groomer that awaits snowfall.