As organizers gear up for the Arrowhead 135 ultramarathon, the high endurance test that starts in International Falls Jan. 28 is listed in “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges,” a profile of the 50 most extreme races.
Arrowhead 135 organizer and participant Tony Oveson met with the International Falls City Council this week to seek approval to use the Kerry Park Arena and other city amenities for the start of the race, which leads racers on foot, skis, and bicycle on the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail to Lake Vermilion.
The book, written by Richard Hoad and Paul Moore, profiles 50 of the most extreme marathons, triathlons, bike rides, adventure races, climbs, open-water swims and other endurance events from around the world.
Just nine years ago, the Arrowhead 135 had 10 racers. The 2012 event had 135 entries.
Oveson told the council that the 2013 race is filled with 150 racers, 50 of whom are first timers.
“We could have 1,000 people in this,” he said of the popularity of the endurance race. “There are no winners or losers,” he said. “First or last, finishers are winners.”
This year’s event will include a 12-15 member camera crew which will film extreme cyclist Bonnie Moebeck, who will bike the race with her husband, said Oveson. Moebeck in 2010 fought to survive a deadly bacteria, which brought on complications that required numerous surgeries. Within two weeks of the onset, she was nearly unable to walk. Six months later, she rode in a two-day 150-mile bike race that raised money to help combat multiple sclerosis.
Oveson told the council that the nonprofit Arrowhead 135 event is expected to raise about $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life.
In addition, he said about 1,000 pounds of food is expected to be collected for donation to the local food bank.
Prior to the start of the race, he said Backus Community Center would offer a concert and a spaghetti feed at Aquinas Hall.
The donations, he said, come from the $200 entry fees charged to racers and from about 20 sponsors of the event.
Oveson also reported that he has been taking part in local SHIP, Statewide Health Improvement Program, Coalition, to which the council has appointed him.
Among the discussions at a recent SHIP Coalition meeting, he said, are plans to encourage a walker-friendly community, a bike rodeo, in coordination with the International Falls Police Department, and a bike training program.
In other city business this week, the council approved extending a loan to the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No. 1259 at a 3.7 percent interest rate with a three-year balloon, effective on the maturity date of Jan. 14, 2016.
Councilors noted that the loan allowed the lodge to install a new furnace that has allowed efficiencies and saved the lodge money.
The council also agreed to subordinate a loan to Craig A. and Carrie B. Turner to allow them to refinance a first mortgage at lower than their existing interest rate. The loan involves a Small Cities Housing rehabilitation grant.
