Great Lakes Endurance, LLC

Economy

We at Great Lakes Endurance believe in supporting local economies. We specifically aim to build local economy based upon silent sport tourism. We believe that this type of economy is far more sustainable, both environmentally and economically, than extractive industries and motorized recreation. Both of the latter create air and water pollution. Motorized recreation also creates noise pollution and undesirable social effects. These negative side effects are rarely included in economic benefits analysis.

Silent sport enthusiasts visit local communites and enjoy local trails and coastal wilderness with minimal to no impact. There is no noise pollution, exhaust, or litter. Wildlife habitat is not destroyed. Yet, there is a postive economic impact on local hotels, restaurants, and merchants.

Both of our events draw on a wide geographic range of participants. We draw runners from over 24 states and Canada. This not only makes for a great diversity of runners it also boosts local economies because these individuals stay for multiple nights in local hotels, eat several meals at area restaurants, take local cruise trips, and purchase outdoor gear, artwork, souveniers, and gasoline. Both of our events contribute approximately $250,000 in direct and indirect spending in their respective communities.

In addition we purchase our awards and many of our supplies locally. In the Keweenaw we purchase pottery awards from Seven Cranes Pottery in Pelkie, jam from the Monks at the Jampot near Eagle Harbor, local honey from Cloverland Apiary in Calumet, and homemade gourmet cookies from the Wooden Spoon in Mohawk. We also have our organic cotton shirts silkscreened by Superior Graphics in Houghton.

In Munising we have made our race headquarters the Falling Rock Cafe which has led many silent sports enthusiasts to discover and support this exceptional coffee house, cafe, bookstore, and venue for folk music. Our race hotel is the Holiday Inn Express Lakeview, which is working diligently to be the lodging destination of silent sport enthusiasts including ice climbers, cross country skiiers, snowshoers, mountain bikers, road cyclists, hikers, backpackers, paddlers and trail runners.

Last Updated

01/17/2008