Wheew, it was fantastic.  15 miles through the rocky, hilly woods of the Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake superior in the UP.

First 600 feet down a steep, winding, slippery trail.  One track over the giant rock covered by a thin layer of soil and Tolkienesque ecosystem.  You expect an Elf, Hobbit, or Dwarf to appear around the next tree or over the next cliff.

15 miles in the summer heat around Manganese lake and next to Lake Fanny Hooe (fanny who?). 

Check out the map and topography. 

http://www.greatlakesendurance.com/objects/maps/keweenaw/25k.pdf

The energy of the participants after this run was amazing.  The whole room with the breakfast after the run was glowing.

The group features a zen earth friendly tude that transcends.  Transcends petty politics and goes right to the source, body, mind, spirit united with the living planet.  Incredible energy!

I was forced to walk back up the 400 foot climb to the finish, but i did not stop to rest and ran into the finish.  13 minute miles.  Pretty slow but I survived.  Excellent.  Slow and steady finished the race at the same speed I started it.  Zen.