Runners brave cold weather for ‘Color Dash’

More than one hundred outdoor enthusiasts showed up for the second annual Arctic Blast Color Dash in Ishpeming.

Winter adventurers trekked three miles of snowy terrain at their own pace.  Some chose to walk, while others added a little pep to their step.

The scenic tour through the Ishpeming Hills stretched beyond the Country Village through picturesque sites and sounds surrounding Cooper Lake Road.

“Color Runs are the rage all across the country,” Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kori Tossava said.  “We decided to put a Yooper spin on it last year and strap snow shoes to our feet and get everybody outside in the middle of winter and really enjoy all of the colors including the white of the snow.”

And there were no excuses for those looking to cop out at the starting line.  If you didn’t own a pair of snowshoes, Wilderness Sports had plenty you could borrow.

Keith Kuykendall had no problem navigating the snow, which was knee deep in some areas.  In fact, he was the first to cross the finish line, coming in at just around the 45-minute mark.

“It’s a non competitive event but it’s kind of fun to be out in front,” he said.

Although it was technically a competition, no official times were kept, preserving the number one goal of the race–to have fun.

“I love the outdoorness of it,” Iron Mountain resident Wendy Miljour said.  “I love winter, winter is my favorite season, so just getting out in the winter is great.”

“(We participated) because we love snow shoeing and events like this you can’t pass up,” participant Chris Plourde said.

“I love being out in the winter, enjoy the weather and have some fun,” participant Jennifer Kakosky said.

Those same smiles will be spread throughout the region with the money raised going to the YMCA of Marquette County, the U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Ishpeming I-Club, and the Health Occupation Students of America.