In 2002 the Great Lakes Marathon Series completed its fifth year. The great Lakes Marathon Series consists of the Noquemanon Ski Marathon, White Pine Stampede, North American Vasa, Great Bear Chase and the Tahquamenon Falls Nordic Invitational. Normally a skier must complete four of the five races to earn a GLMS pin. However, this year with the demise of the Tahquamenon Falls Nordic Invitational and the cancellation of the Great Bear Chase due to a snow storm with very high winds skiers had to complete all three of the remaining races to earn a pin.

This year 35 skiers earned a gold pin by completing three marathon distances and 19 skiers earned a silver pin by completing a combination of any three long and short distances. Skiers earning a pin in 2002 and shown in the tables below. Congratulations to all of the GLMS pin winners.

GLMS Founders Pin
Thirteen skiers have earned a GLMS pin each of the first five years of the series. These thirteen as designated as Founders of the GLMS. They are ranked in order of completion by most kilometers skied in the table attached. Five skiers have skied in all nineteen marathons held during these last five years. They are Stephen Smigiel, Steve Smigiel, Bob West and Carl Scharphorn, all skiing all marathon distances and Randal Bladel. Fred Mills, Lynne Witte and Maria Iwaniec have completed all but one of the races. Randy Kessler, Chris Weingartz and Lee Reis have only missed two while Kevin Kelly and Mike Schaeffer have finished 16 of the 19 races. A standing ovation to these thirteen Founders and ultimate marathoners.

Pins will be mailed shortly. If a skier happens to read this list and does not received a pin it is most likely because we do not have your address. If this happens please send your address to GLMS, 11029 Crooked Lake Road, Rockford, Michigan, 49341 and it will be mailed to you.