Vermeulen and Rinehart Take First at 37th Annual Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival

September 18, 2019

CABLE, Wisc. – Earlier today, the small town of Cable, Wisconsin hosted more than 3,000 cyclists and hundreds of volunteers and spectators – more than triple its own population – to celebrate all things bicycling, the great outdoors and the beloved “adventure ride” along the American Birkebeiner ski trail beginning in Hayward, Wisconsin and ending in Cable. Alexey Vermeulen and Jenna Rinehart were the first male and female to cross the finish line in this year’s off-road event. This marks Rinehart’s seventh time winning the race, having won previously in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018.

Vermeulen, 24, of Ann Arbor, Mich., completed the 40-mile race with a time of 2:14:54; this was his first time competing in the event. Brian Matter, 41, of Prescott, Arizona, placed second in the race, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:17:05. Jorden Wakeley, 29, of Grayling, Mich., placed third moments later, coming in at 2:17:07. Ben Senkerik, 26, of Milwaukee, Wisc., came in fourth at 2:17:20 and Corey Stelljes, 38, of Madison, Wisc., placed fifth at 2:17:22.

In the women’s division, Rinehart, 35, of Mankato, Minn., completed the 40-mile race with a time of 2:39:29. Leia Schneeberger, 40, of De Pere, Wisc., followed closely and earned second place with a time of 2:41:37. Sara Hylander-Johnson, 47, of Duluth, Minn., placed third at 2:49:13. Stacy Kalemkiarian, 34, of Stillwater, Minn., came in fourth at 2:51:10 and Holly Matthews, 30, of Verona, Wisc., placed fifth at 2:53:02.

“This year was unlike any before with the expansion of our expo and festival, which celebrate athletes with good food, great drinks and entertainment after their ride – exemplary of the endurance events Life Time produces,” says Peter Spencer, Race Director of the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival. “What hasn’t changed is the spirit of everyone here and their love of this race. It’s been a staple event in many people’s lives every September for almost four decades and is engrained in the community.”

The Chequamegon MTB Festival is owned and produced by Life Time, the premier healthy lifestyle brand. It is among more than 30 premier athletic events owned by the company, including the Leadville Race Series, the New York City Triathlon, the Chicago Triathlon, the Miami Marathon and the Dirty Kanza.

About the Chequamegon Mountain Bike Festival

Started in 1983 as a way to draw tourists to the area post-peak season, Cable, Wisc. resort staff Tom Kelly, Dan Hunt, Mike Cooper, Phil VanValkenberg and Phil Rasmussen conceptualized a bike race along the American Birkebeiner “Birkie” Ski Trail. The event hosted 27 riders in its first year and under the Race Direction of Gary Crandall has grown exponentially each year since. With an added “Short and Fat” 16 mile course and “Little Loggers Kids Crit”, the festival now brings in more than 3,000 today and remains a beloved tradition in Northern Wisconsin. Chanhassen, Minnesota based Life Time, Inc. acquired the event in 2011.

About Life Time® – Healthy Way of Life

Life Time champions a healthy and happy life for its members across 145 destinations in 39 major markets in the U.S. and Canada. As the nation’s only Healthy Way of Life brand, Life Time delivers an unmatched athletic resort experience and provides a comprehensive healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment experience that goes well beyond fitness to encompass the entire spectrum of daily life for individuals, couples and families of all ages. For more information visit www.lifetime.life.

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