Top Skaters Coming to Hayward In-Line Marathon

Sawyer County Record
Last updated: Thursday, August 09th, 2007 02:00:13 PM

Inline skaters from across the Upper Midwest will test their endurance this Saturday as they race for top awards in the second annual Hayward Inline Marathon and Half-Marathon.

The event starts at 7:30 a.m. in front of Scheer's Lumberjack Village on Highway B.

Nearly 60 of an anticipated 220 skaters will be participating in the 39-mile Inline Challenge, a new event this year. Another 120 will skate the 26-mile marathon, with the remainder skating one lap of the 13-mile course.

Top contenders for the new Challenge title include Bont-sponsored skaters Mike Anderson of Minneapolis and Randy Plett of Winnepeg. Hayward skaters Fred Scheer and Dave Bartz are expected to finish in the top five. Last year's women's winner, Rebecca George of Baxter, MN., is a favorite for the women's title.

Kara Peterson of St. Paul is expected to win the women's marathon. Her husband, Tom Peterson, and James Kauth of St. Paul, are contenders for the men's title. In the half-marathon, last year's top men's finisher, Bill Gabos of Minneapolis, will defend his title.

Registration is still open for the event. In-person registration will be held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at race headquarters in the Lumberjack Village on Highway B.