Come join us on Sunday before the racers’ meeting to hear stories and pointers from 4 incredible athletes. Kate Coward will host a discussion with Jill Martindale, Petr Ineman, Gretchen Metsa and Scott Hoberg. This is a line up you don’t want to miss!
Sunday, Jan 29, 3 pm Backus Community Center auditorium in International Falls, MN.

Jill Martindale (Bike)

An endurance athlete from Grand Rapids, Michigan where she enjoys exploring every corner with friends, mechanic wizard husband Dan, and two dogs. She is the current Arrowhead 135 women’s bike course record holder, and snagged 1st places at Tuscobia, JayP’s 200 Fat Pursuit, 1000 mile Iditarod (co-champ with Petr!) … and there is so much more. In 2018, she was inducted into the Michigan Mountain Bike Hall of Fame for advocating and promoting the sport to women. She is currently sponsored by 45nrth and Salsa Cycles. You might see her smiling, surrounded by friends or having fun while crushing on the bike.

Petr Ineman (usually bike, but skis for this winter season)

An adventurer from Czech Republic, Peter grew up venturing to the mountains and hiking, biking or skiing which expanded to winter camping, ice climbing and kayaking when he moved to the northern midwest in the US. He’s finished/champion multiple Iditarod 1000s, Arrowheads, Fat Pursuits. He’s climbed Denali 2x, Mt. Whitney, Mt. Rainer and several Colorado 14ers. He has also ridden Colorado Trail Race, Tour Divide, Trans South Dakota, Black Hills expedition, and so much more. Petr keeps coming back to enjoy the unique camaraderie, adventure, and nature’s beauty.

Gretchen Metsa (foot)

Relatively new to running (2015), this mom of 3 crushes the trail! In her 2nd Arrowhead 135, she nabbed the women’s foot course record and 3rd fastest race time overall. She also has the women’s course records of Superior Fall 50, Wild Duluth Duluth 100k, Arrowhead 135, Tuscobia 80. 2nd FKTs in Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail, Porcupine Mountain Loop, Border Route Trail. She’s won Curnow Marathon, MN Voyageur, Marquette 50k, Superior Fall 100, Superior Spring 50k, Zumbro 50 mi, and Hitchcock 100. If you do some research on Gretchen, you can also learn about her story managing her Type 1 Diabetes while pushing her body to the extreme. Look for her on trail as a volunteer this year, too!

Scott Hoberg (foot)

Scott grew up on a farm in Benson, Minnesota, spending most of his time outside. As a high school wrestler started running as a way to stay in shape. After college he ran the Twin Cities marathon and the rest is history. He holds multiple Arrowhead 135 (including 2nd fastest male foot time) and Tuscobia 160 men’s foot championships and crushed podiums or finishes at many ultra-marathons including Superior Spring races, Voyageur, FANS 24-hr ultras, Javelina, Leadville and Western States to name a few! When you meet him, if you’re lucky he might share a tale from the famed Iditarod trail.