MECCA Trails Winterfest a Success

 Beth Wetzler, Winterfest Event Committee

 Mercer, WI– MECCA Trails is proud to announce that this year’s Winterfest was a success despite significant changes to the event due to COVID precautions.  Loyal sponsors, returning skiers, new participants and good winter snow conditions made for a great virtual event. MECCA Trails has hosted a winter celebration for the past three seasons and each year has shown growth in participation; this year registrations were up more than 10 per cent. Some of the growth can be accounted for by the addition of two new events: the 15K Flowage Freestyle Race and the Mercer Springs Snowshoe Tour.  Both events were very popular and brought new visitors out to MECCA Trails. The flexibility that allowed participants to choose when they would ski or shoe between December 18 and March 28 also helped grow the celebration.  In addition to the two new events, racers also enjoyed skiing the Turtle River Pursuit and the 5K Claire d’Loon Classic Fun Race.

Little Turtle Panorama – Well, it all ended on or about March 11th, but be inspired for the next snowy season and all events at MECCA! Click on image to enlarge.

The success of this year’s Winterfest would not have been possible without the support of the community, local businesses, sponsors and MECCA Trail’s collaborative partner, the Gogebic Range Health Foundation. The Foundation has collaborated with MECCA since the first event in 2019.  Andrea Newby, Executive Director of the Gogebic Range Health Foundation stated, “MECCA Trails Winterfest is a collaboration the foundation supports as it gets residents and visitors out on the trails getting exercise and enjoying the beauty of our area’s trails.”  Through sponsor support and registration fees Winterfest helps MECCA Trails fund trail and equipment maintenance; trail development and community outreach.

Race Results

The results of the individual division of the Turtle River Pursuit are as follows:

Sandra Pera, Wakefield – 1^st Place Women’s

Lauren Korpi, Ironwood – 2^nd Place Women’s.

Patrick Paulik, Mercer – 1^st Place Men’s.

Robert Nadler, Chicago – 2^nd Place Men’s

S Gowtham, Houghton – 3^rd Place Men’s

Team division results of the Turtle River Pursuit are as follows:

Rodney and Robert Silvas, Mercer – 1^st Place,

Colleen Matula, Mellon and Thomas Piikkila, Mason – 2^nd Place.

Jean and Brian Ciske, Lac du Flambeau – 3^rd Place.

The results of the classic division of the Flowage 15K Freestyle are as follows:

Merry Wiesner-Hanks, Mequon – 1^st Place Women’s

Kelly Martinko, Mercer – 2^nd Place Women’s

Jenna Malinowski, Mercer – 3^rd Place Women’s.

Will Andresen, Ironwood – 1^st Place Men’s

Neil Wiesner-Hanks, Mequon – 2^nd Place Men’s.

Skate division results of the Flowage 15K Skate are as follows:

Christine Paulik, Mercer – 1^st Place Women’s

Sandra Pera, Wakefield – 2^nd Place Women’s

Heather Berklund, Woodruff – 3^rd Place Women’s.

Robert Polic, Manitowish Waters – 1^st Place Men’s

Todd Robinson, De Pere – 2^nd Place Men’s

Brock Metzger, Ironwood – 3^rd Place Men’s.

The results of the Claire d’Loon 5K are as follows:

Kelly Martinko, Mercer – 1^st Place Women’s

Neil Martinko, Mercer – 1^st Place Men’s.

Overall Winners

Turtle River Pursuit (Individual Division)
Sandra Pera, Wakefield – 1st Place Women’s
Lauren Korpi, Ironwood – 2nd Place Women’s
Patrick Paulik, Mercer – 1st Place Men’s
Robert Nadler, Chicago – 2nd Place Men’s
S Gowtham, Houghton – 3rd Place Men’s

 Turtle River Pursuit (Team Division)
Rodney and Robert Silvas, Mercer – 1st Place
Colleen Matula, Mellon and Thomas Piikkila, Mason – 2nd Place
Jean and Brian Ciske, Lac du Flambeau – 3rd Place

 Flowage 15K Freestyle (Classic Division)
Merry Wiesner-Hanks, Mequon – 1st Place Women’s
Kelly Martinko, Mercer – 2nd Place Women’s
Jenna Malinowski, Mercer – 3rd Place Women’s
Will Andresen, Ironwood – 1st Place Men’s
Neil Wiesner-Hanks, Mequon – 2nd Place Men’s

Flowage 15K Freestyle (Skate Division)
Christine Paulik, Mercer – 1st Place Women’s
Sandra Pera, Wakefield – 2nd Place Women’s
Heather Berklund, Woodruff – 3rd Place Women’s
Robert Polic, Manitowish Waters – 1st Place Men’s
Todd Robinson, De Pere – 2nd Place Men’s
Brock Metzger, Ironwood – 3rd Place Men’s

Claire d’Loon 5K
Kelly Martinko, Mercer – 1st Place Women’s
Neil Martinko, Mercer – 1st Place Men’s

Age Division Winners
Flowage 15K  Freestyle (Classic Divsion) 
Jenna Malinowski ~ Women’s 30-39
Kelly Martinko  ~ Women’s 50-59
Merry Wiesner-Hanks ~ Women’s 60-69
Dustin Filippini ~ Women’s 40-49
Will Andresen ~ Men’s 60-69

Flowage 15K (Skate Division)      
Heather Berklund ~ Women’s 40-49
Christine Paulik ~ Women’s 50-59
Brock Metzger ~ Men’s  19 & Under
Bryce Berklund ~ Men’s 40-49
Robert Polic ~ Men’s 50-59
William Schnoor ~ Men’s 60-69

Turtle River Pursuit 
Lauren Korpi ~ Women’s 30-39
Sandra Pera ~ Women’s 60-69
S Gowtham ~ Men’s 40-49
Patrick Paulik ~ Men’s 50-59
Kent Terry ~ Men’s 70+

PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS

Eileen Donlan ~ Northwoods Accents Denali Blanket
M J Slone ~ Wampum Shop Hat
Christie Anderson ~ Northern Exposure Nites Inn Motel Gift Certificate
Jerry Leiterman ~ Northern Exposure Nites Inn Motel Gift Certificate
Jim Anderson ~ Northern Exposure Nites Inn Motel Gift Certificate
Kasey Klemme ~ Wampum Shop Shirt
Lauren Korpi ~ DQ Gift Certificate
Amy Slone ~ DQ Gift Certificate
Steven Kopf ~ River’s Edge Outfitters Stay and Play Package
Keena DeLay ~ The Pines Restaurant Pizza Gift Certificate
Sandra Pera ~ River’s Edge Outfitters Pedal and Paddle Package
Will Andresen ~ SISU Ski Fest Entry and Neck Buff
Mike Shouldice ~ Copper Peak Trails Fest Entry
Colleen Matula ~ Copper Peak Trails Fest Entry
Rodney Silvis ~ Bridges and Bluffs Entry
Patrick Paulik ~ Bridges and Bluffs Entry
Kelly Klein ~ Big Snow Season Ticket
William Schnoor ~ Woverine Season Pass and Socks

For information about MECCA Trails and upcoming events visit MECCATrails.com 

Contact: Mike Shouldice: MECCA Trails Winterfest Committee; 612-309-4359; info@MECCATrails.com