Drew Moore and Eric O'Hearn alphas at Winter Wolf Skiathlon

Fourth time's the charm! Justin Andre, Manager of Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling, MI has been trying for four years to hold a Michigan Cup Skiathlon. The first two years...not enough snow. Year three...move it to Forbush Corner because - again - not enough snow at Hanson Hills.

Year four? GLORIOUS SNOW! Hanson Hills finally had stellar conditions for the Winter Wolf Skiathlon,, a 5K Classic + 5K Freestyle Michigan Cup race. Firm tracks and skate lane made for great racing for the wolf pack.

Race day was also the first full moon of 2026, the "Wolf Moon" - in reference to the hungry predators that have been known to howl during the long winter nights.

Predators where aplenty at the Skiathlon. Drew Moore and Erica O'Hearn easily clawed their way to the top. O'Hearn finished first in 33:50, 2:16 faster than second place Rebecca Davis (36:06). Mariah Frye was third in 38:40.

Drew Moore took an early lead for the men, winning in 28:24. Local favorite Jorden Wakeley took second in 29:59, followed by Eric Parrott in 32:18.

Lulu Cole and Traverse O'Hearn were the top junior pups in a small field.

Full results are below.

The 5k loop started with a 1 kilometer climb from the "Novice loop". The first part of the climb is very shallow - deceptively so - and gradually steepens to the first of the M93 hills. The first hill was ruff if you missed your kick wax or have less than perfect diagonal stride technique. A grade peaking at 15% toward the top of the first hill (and the 19% grade on a later hill) forced many racers out to the track and into a herringbone. Even some of the leaders had trouble with kick. Overall, the course featured around 770 feet of climbing.

After the M93 hills (marker 7), the course turned right on the Blue Trail, a more gradually rolling section of trail. At marker 8, the race turned left on Shelly's Return / Green Trail for a long descent to marker 2 and a gradual descent back to the beginning and the transition area

Vertical profile of the Winter Wolf Skiathlon course

Trail map of Hanson Hills. The race loop was essentially Novice Loop to markers 1, 7, 8, 2, 1, Novice loop.

The well organized and roomy transition area featured four rows. Racers skied down an aisle to their spot, exchanged skis and poles, and exited at an angle into the next aisle to continue the race. Some skiers had yoga or other mats to mark their area or provide a stable platform for ski exchange.

Transition area. Photo by Blair Zordell

After transition, racers skied through the start line to begin the skate leg of the race. Getting used to longer poles after 5km of classic poles was a bit of adjustment for some skiers!

Doug Cornell video: "The start and first downhill of today's (Jan 3, 2026) Winter Wolf Skiathlon at Hanson Hills Recreation Area in Grayling, MI. We did a 5k classic loop followed immediately with a 5k skate loop."

2026 Winter Wolf Skiathlon Results

Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, MI
Sat. Jan 3, 2026

PDF download of the 2026 Winter Wolf Skiathlon Results

Results by: RUNHIGH.COM