The Big Granite Races will be held on a 12.75 mile looped course of town roads, state & county highways.
The marathon will be two laps of this course.
The course features Wisconsin dairy land nestled against the Penokee hill range. The course offers a scenic mix of hills, flats, curves and
straightaways.The course is an exciting course that will challenge skaters of all abilities. It is not advised that beginning
skaters register for this race and all registrants should have experience and be
comfortable with skating.
All skaters should use extra caution. This caution includes re-installing skate
brakes on 4-wheel skates if they have been removed and wearing elbow and knee
pads.
The course is also a technical course in that it features several turns
including a cone turn. The skater with the best all
around skating ability will be the most successful.
The Big Granite course is different than the course of the NorthShore Inline Marathon. There are more climbs and descents, three hard right turns, one turn around a cone, two-way skater traffic in areas, and a narrower road. Stand up signs will announce the approach of the sharp turns and cone turns. Pay attention to them and slow down. The areas of special concern are as follows:
Mile 2 Left turn. The angle to this intersection makes this a hard left turn.
Mile 7 Long downhill descent. See safety note above.
Mile 8 Hard right turn after long run out from bottom of hill. On second lap skaters will be turning into two-way traffic. It is critical to slow down on this corner on the second lap! As the lead pro male pack approaches this intersection, we may stop other skaters for a few seconds to let them pass. Please be patient, your safety is our primary concern.
Mile 9.5 Sharp left hand turn. Stay wide right to make this corner. Approaching traffic making hard right turn.
Mile 10.5 Cone turn around.
Mile 11.5 Sharp right hand turn. Approaching traffic making hard left turn.
Mile 13 Stay far to the right. Approaching skaters making hard right after long run out at bottom of hill.
Mile 13.1 Cross timing wire to start second lap or finish.
Water Stations
Aid stations will have bottled water available to skaters. The caps will be pre-broken for you. The water stations will also be equipped with radios. Should you need assistance please ask them to radio to headquarters. Water will be available at Mile 4.5, Mile 10.5, Mile 17.5, and Mile 23.5.
Start/Finish Line Services
The following items will be available at the start/finish line area: Portapotties, Chairs for Changing Into Your Skates, Bag Check for Your Shoes and Warm-Ups, Finishers will have access to water, bananas, and some other snacks. The finish line food will be for racers only. Concessions will be available for purchase near the start/finishline.
Spectators
There are two good spots to watch the race.
The best spot is at the start/finish area. From this point spectators will be able see the start and finish plus see the skaters pass through twice. Spectators may take the shuttles to and from the start/line by parking at the Ashland County Fairgrounds as described above. Concessions will be available from the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce.
The other good spot is in the Village of Marengo. The skaters will pass through this area twice around a cone turn. Park at the Ashland County Fairgrounds and walk about .5 miles to the Village. The viewing area will be just past the only gas station in Marengo.