Marji Gesick - Ultra Mountain Bike Race

September 22, 2018
Ishpeming, MI
marjigesick100.com/

“The hardest single-day mountain bike event in the country.”
– Jeremiah Bishop, 2017 & 2018 Marji Gesick 100 Winner, Canyon Topeak Factory Racing, former US National Champion of Short Track and Marathon mountain biking divisions, 16-time member of the USA Cycling National Team.
Hear his post race commentary: www.facebook.com/JeremiahbishopMTB/videos/303736920404921/

- After riding last year "just to finish" Jeff Abitz left it all on the trail, feeling more fatiqued than after racing Wausau 24      solo a couple months ago.
- Steve Schrek and Todd Mertz were wise to "buddy up", riding conservatively to ensure they both finished their first        MJ 100. (If you ask me, they look like they were actually having fun - Jabitz)
- I've lost count, but I think this was Jon Lester's third MJ 100.

100 Mile (More like 109 miles):
331 Starters, 218 Finishers
Jeff Abitz: 39th overall with a time of: 12:51:51 (one hour, 43 minutes quicker than last year)​
Steve Schrek: 149th with a time 18:02:47 
Todd Mertz: 150th with a time of 18:03:40
Nick Niemi: 160th with a time of 18:31:29
Jon Lester: 171st with a time of 18:48:46 (Played chaperone/mechanic/coach to high school racers) 
​
Andy Webb - Was only a few minutes behind (Strava Flyby confirmed) Jeff before a trip over the bars at mile 86 put the hurt on his wrists. He is committed to returning next year for his unfinished business.  
John Bessy - Pulled the plug at 40 miles after a couple crashes compromised safe bike handling.
Scott Niemi and Scott Barclay both met their goals of making it 64 miles to the bag drop. When you consider those miles are the the best parts of the course it makes alot of sense.

50 Mile:
Eddie Kolka: 88th with a time of 9:58:48. Did I mention the last 35 miles was by far the most brutal part of the race? Oh, his fork was stuck in "full lock out" mode for most the race. Who continues on, with a now solid, front fork?

The Leman's start began with a 1/2 mile run. See video link below:

www.facebook.com/lindsay.bean.986/posts/10156439648965250?__xts__[0]=68.ARBJkAHE8CawQO4X-x1W3Qay3zxzE3g2hz-L2OB2Cq0EfjAqAjKWE9DZHpz0Uxr4qHi5KWiGIeTB7PJJD-GS1ryahFEUo5CDlxzeXw9p2xKavzmqB3GIbNue9W6p_TKrjRHQjnIuKFjRy0g9tga1NitzbnLqzD55p7HDXJ_91WgHOu5zBUpbKjg&__tn__=C-R

Registration for 2019 opens October 13th, 2018 at 12 midnight. 
Watch for the instructions on: marjigesick100.com/ 
Race, spectate, support, party...whatever.
Marquette has a Big Boy restaurant and and Black Rocks Brewery, so there is that.
I'll be there. Webb will be there.

- Jabitz out.