Marji Gesick - Mountain Bike Race AKA "Yooper Death March"

​September 20, 2025
Ishpeming, MI
906adventureteam.com/mountain-bike-events/marji-gesick/

Ahh, the Marji Gesick. For 10 years this race has taught people to overcome self doubts, adapt to survive, and bring self proclaimed expert mountain bikers to their limits...and the forest floor.
"This freaking race...I can't quit you". - JA
Hey, most of the trails are pretty fun. Well some of them are!

For the 100 Mountain Bike:
Prior to this year, Brian Hansen never understood the appeal of this race. One weekend of Marji Camp 
906adventureteam.com/marji-camp-2026/ changed that. 
Most people start with the 50, working up to the 100, then failing a couple attempts before finishing.
Brian "knocked it out of the park" on his first attempt. 
​
For the Duathlon:
After last year's Suffer Crew volunteer Jeff Abitz took a year off, "the running bug" returned and he opted to give the Duathlon another go. A stick damaged rear derailleur forced him to spin a low, single speed gear the last 10 miles. This 30+ minute delay, in addition to late night short but steady rains, forced him to push the limits of traction, on the slick rocks and roots.
His risky efforts earned him a second buckle with four minutes to spare. 

Adam Koenig already has two 100 bike race finishes. What do you do when finishing becomes "the norm"? Challenge yourself by attempting the Duathlon. Although ride induced fatigue prevented him from finishing the run portion, the opportunity of preparing for a new challenge (he completed a trail marathon in the Dawn to Dusk 6 Hour) was where the real value comes from.
The race finish is secondary.

One of the possessed? Marquette sticks, also attacked Steve Schreck's front wheel, sending him over the bars (over the handle bars that is, not over to the bars) at mile 19. A damaged helmet and crunchy rib forced him to abandon.
Steve (and driver Jamie) made their way to the Jackson Mine Park bag drop to aid, and later the finish, to welcome and nurture, Jeff at the finish line.

Tim Patterson put in a solid ride and heroic first 24 mile run (park to park). As he journeyed for the finish, he realized his pace, on the soggy and slick course would put him beyond the 8:30 am time cut.
So the hard decision was made to walk Cliff Drive to the finish. Still, what a massive day!
When a veteran ultra endurance athlete like Tim drops out you know importance of preparing, training, and pre-riding for any aspiring Marji "Fresh Meat". 

​After finishing the 100 last year John Bessey opted to do the 50 "fun ride" - sarcasm. This is essentially the last 60 miles of the 100 course, and also the most challenging. Mostly uphill and hike-a-bike for miles. Well maybe not for Jon as he finished in the top 16%.

100 Mile Duathlon (59 starters, 23 finishers)
(66 mile bike, 43 mile "run", est. 11,732' climbing)
Jeff Abitz - 16th. Buckle earned.
Adam Koenig - 41st 
Tim Patterson - 45th 
Steve Scherck - 49th

100 Mile MTB (540 starters, 296 finishers)
(109 mile, est. 11,732' climbing)
Brian Hansen 113th 

50 Mile MTB (537 starters, 467 finishers)
(63.4 miles, est. 6,106 climbing)
John Bessey - 77th 

Full Results/Victims: my.raceresult.com/361605/

2025 registration opens on Friday, October 17th, at TBD - Eastern Time.
It will fill up in under 5 seconds. 
Link is TBD as of 28 Sep. :

This blog was written without the help of artificial intelligence. 
- Jabalicious