Doing The Hard Things – March 2026
What’s inside: A note from the Director of AdventurePR26 MASS START: #BLAMETODDPR26 MASS START: Extreme VolunteeringNew on Made UP PodcastTeaser Alert: Marquette Trail Running Series (MTRS) 😱Adventure Team Countdown!2026 Leadership SummitEvents with 906AT A note from the Director of Adventure As you go through this month’s newsletter, you’re going to read about a lot of cool stories. Cruz, a 13-year-old young man who not only finished the Polar Roll MS15 on February 21st, he won it; while 44% of the field was quitting, and he wasn’t the only kid present for what some are calling the worst Polar Roll conditions in 11 years. There were many others, and they finished, too. You’re going to hear about Jaymie who not only showed up… she finished two minutes before the cutoff at 8:30 pm despite a cancer diagnosis, volunteers who showed up at 4:45 in the morning to setup… and were still there at 8:30 that night to tear down – and they did it all with a smile! Or how bout Steve Flemming, an ultra rider who missed the 48-hour cutoff but refused to go home until he finished… and finally did after 60 hours. He didn’t do it to win the race or get a buckle; he did it because he believes in finishing what he started. I really hope you can take ten minutes to read what we’ve put together for you this month, and then take a few minutes to let it sink in. I’ll tell ya what I took away from last weekend and all of the stories we’ve heard. Who you surround yourself with is incredibly important. I believe it has the power to change your life; in fact, I’ve watched it happen countless times over the past 11 years. When you hang out with people who have high standards, your standards change. When you hang out with people who won’t quit, you don’t wanna quit. It’s contagious. When you learn to stop comparing yourself to everyone else, it frees you – and all of a sudden you can just show up and compete against yourself. If you don’t like drama, you need to start hanging out with people who don’t do drama. It makes sense when you say it out loud, right? Enjoy the newsletter. The team puts a lot of time into it for you. You might even wanna share it with someone who needs to hear some of the stories, or maybe they just need a place to feel welcome and accepted. PR26 MASS START: #BLAMETODD In true 906AT fashion – we don’t make anything easy – and this year’s Polar Roll was anything but! From grooming the trails to participants battling the Mackinac Bridge to snow, wind, and conditions that pushed people to Find Their Limits – Polar Roll 2026 will be remembered and talked about for years to come. It seemed to be more of a mental test than a physical test. When you showed up to ride your bike in the snow and ended up pushing more than pedaling – could you find the will to keep going? Could you adapt to the experience you were in versus the experience you expected? 545 people signed up for Polar Roll.429 people started.185 texted #Quitter.244 finished. It Gets Worse, Before It Gets Worser. Polar Roll is perhaps too often considered the ‘gimme’ of the 906AT Trilogy. It’s just 15 or 30 miles. For those working toward the Secret Event and the Triple Crown – Polar Roll is the first to check off the list, the event with the least amount of miles. But surprise? “I’d rather do Marji 100 than ever do that again,” said one PR finisher. And isn’t that the point? Isn’t that why we put these events together? Isn’t that what you show up for? An experience that pushes, tests and takes you out of your comfort zone. Polar Roll 2026 certainly did that. What is hard? The answer to that question is different for everyone. In fact, while there was a lot of frustration during Polar Roll – there were also a lot of people enjoying the experience, riding, walking, laughing through the challenge – whether they finished or texted #QUITTER. 13-year-old Cruz Woodbury, the first place finisher of the MS15, who may never realize the significance of his accomplishment, said he just rode his bike and never looked back. Was he excited to take first place? Sure, he seemed happy – it was hard. But, he also was just out enjoying a day on his bike. That was his perspective. Now, let’s flip that to the perspective of the last finisher. Jaymie Smith was out there to do a hard thing. To feel every mile, every push, work through the challenges, and FINISH, no matter what. And she did with just two minutes left to cutoff. For Jaymie it was a celebration of life. Days after Polar Roll Jaymie said, “I finished chemo – I just wanted to celebrate that I’m alive by doing something that is me – going on an adventure, pushing my body and my mind.” Jaymie’s first 906AT event was supposed to be Crusher last year – but a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment kept that from happening. And so, her first 906AT event became Polar Roll. And after 12 hours on the course… she finished, tears streaming down her face – not out of frustration, but with gratitude – for the adventure, the experience, the opportunity to push her body. That was her perspective. “If I can make it through these awful procedures and experiences – come on, I can do this,” said Jaymie. “I think it helped that I knew I was going to be slow – it wasn’t about physical fitness, it was about what was between my ears.” It’s easy sometimes to get lost in the way things were supposed to go – but it’s something really remarkable and beautiful to watch 429 people dive into the possibility of what happens
IT’S TIME TO ROLL 2026
“Pain is temporary, Slayer is forever” -John F. Kennedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DECp8LKurKs Polar Roll MS, EX, and Ultra Courses are hosted on RWGPS. Make sure you have the correct file before starting your event. DOWNLOAD FIELD MANUAL POLAR ROLL-MS DOWNLOAD FIELD MANUAL Your single source of truth for all things related to the Polar Roll Mass Start Event is contained within the PR-Field Manual. Packet pickup, Locations, Start Times, and more… all in the Field Manual. Read it. Also in the PR-Field Manual: A detailed explanation of the inherent dangers associated with this event, safety precautions, and the rules. Your preparation is your responsibility. When you show up and take the line you are telling us you have read everything we provided and ya know what you signed up to do, and you’re ready. If that’s not the case… you should stay home. GPX FILES LIVE RESULTS NEED A HUG? POLAR ROLL GEAR STORE CLOSES March 1, 2026 @ 11:59 PM BUY NOW POLAR ROLL ULTRA DOWNLOAD FIELD MANUAL Your single source of truth for all things related to the Polar Roll Ultra is contained within the PR-Field Manual. Packet pickup, Locations, Start Times, Required Gear and more… all in the Field Manual. Read it. Also in the PR-Field Manual: A detailed explanation of the inherent dangers associated with this event, safety precautions, and the rules. Your preparation is your responsibility. When you show up and take the line you are telling us you have read everything we provided and ya know what you signed up to do, and you’re ready. If that’s not the case… you should stay home. Supporting Partners
Doing The Hard Things – February 2026
What’s inside: Todd UpdateNew this Year: Adventure by HIKEMarquette Trail Running Series: Adventure Your WayPR26 – Polar RollTriple Crown: “I just want to see if I can do it.”New on MADE U.P.Monkey Loob: “I can’t imagine where I would be without these experiences.”Become an Adventure Team VolunteerEvents with 906AT Excerpt from the Mental Health Foundation: “Adventure experiences for children are diverse. They might include forest schools, high ropes courses, adventurous play, camping, water sports, and climbing, amongst many other activities. Adventures range from once-in-a-lifetime experiences, to everyday adventures, accessible to all.” Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation added, “Adventure helps to generate a range of positive emotions, including excitement, joy and wonder. It also helps to develop a healthy relationship to uncertainty. That is so important in boosting confidence and in children learning how to manage fear and anxiety.” The key elements of adventure include: Connection with nature Physical activity Unfamiliar experiences Challenge and risk Physiologically energized Working together and Supporting relationships From Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure: More than 10,000 people receive this email every month. Several thousand more people are reached through social media. I want to challenge you. Each and every one of ya. Are ya ready? Here it goes… Help us put wonder back into childhood adventure and stop conditioning kids to be afraid of everything around them. Instead of advocating for avoidance help us teach kids how to prepare for challenges, and overcome them. New experiences and the unknown shouldn’t scare us – they should excite us. Advocate instead for preparation, and learning how to properly asses risk. Let’s be real… If we are teaching kids to avoid every little thing that is scary and uncomfortable… What are we leaving them with? I’ll tell ya what I think it is… A phone, or a tablet, or an Xbox, or potentially more common and concerning, we’re leaving them with nothing but an empty room and anxiety. This doesn’t have to become our legacy. We don’t have to be our kids hero. We need to give them the space to become the hero of their own story, and that should be enough for us. Adventure: an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity. You don’t have to threaten me with a good time 😉 See ya out there. New this year: Adventure by HIKE 906 Adventure Team in Marquette is piloting a new program this summer: Adventure Hike Club. We’re starting with 50 spots on Wednesday nights from 6:00-8:00 PM at Tourist Park through the summer. This is a youth resilience program for kids 5-17 years old. First hike: June 10Last hike: August 19Cost: $150 The concept mirrors that of Adventure Bike Club – create a space for kids to adventure and do hard things – surrounded by a community of leaders who support their personal path of growth and development. We’re taking everything about the bike program and bringing it to kids minus the bike. All the same core values: respect, effort, grit, consistency. Growth Mindset and the “Power of Yet.” You vs. You! Registration opens April 18 – based on the response from the community, we expect spots will full up fast! We also need volunteers. We need dedicated volunteers who will show up for the kids. This is the most important part. If we can’t get volunteers we can’t get kids. Simple, right? Click the link below. Everything ya need to know is there. And then sign up. Our cap as of today is 50 kids, but if we get enough folks who wanna step up we’ll reach more. Two hours a week for 12 weeks this summer could change a kid’s life. LEARN MORE Adventure Your Way The Marquette Trail Running Series was created in 2009 and is the longest standing trail running series in Marquette. MTRS was formed by Andrew Rickauer and a small group of volunteers. Andrew’s commitment to organizing these runs and building community is truly commendable. As he steps away and 906AT takes over the series, we move forward with the intent to honor the work he’s put in and the community he’s created. MTRS has been under the 906AT umbrella for the past four or five years… and this year, we’re diving in a bit deeper and shaking things up a bit. We want to broaden our reach. We want to see more people get into the woods. And we want to offer a program that serves people of all ages and abilities. Running has always been a part of 906AT events – it’s an area that we’ve seen continue to grow over the years – and one we’re excited about! Director of Adventure Todd Poquette and Dawn Lundin are going to lead the Marquette Trail Running Series this year. We’ll be sharing more information in March but expect all new routes this year, including trails in the West End and the North Country Trail system. Our intention is to offer two distances each night of the series – a beginner/kids distance (3 miles or less) and a longer more advanced distance (6 miles or less). Before we finalize the details of this season – we’d like your input. Below is a link to a 3-question survey. If you’re interested in MTRS, take a few minutes and let us know what you think! Take the Survey PR26 – Polar Roll We are just under three weeks away from this year’s Polar Roll Mass Start in downtown Ishpeming on Saturday, February 21. Mother Nature has hit the U.P. with a winter to remember – from blizzard conditions to arctic temperatures – we can’t predict what she has in store for Polar Roll – but now feels like a good time to highlight the environment – quoted from the PR Field Manual: “The environment will be hostile. The topography features punchy climbs, deep snow, and potentially frigid temps. Frostbite is possible, water containers will freeze, and trail conditions
Doing The Hard Things – January 2026
What’s inside: New Year. Same Mission.RESEARCH: Playing in dirt transforms children’s healthVolunteering in 2026: Register NOWLeading Adventure Summit: April 25 & 26Adventure Team Youth ProgrammingYouth & Family InfoAdventure Team Registration: Get Ready!New on MADE U.P.Events with 906AT We’re dedicating the entire newsletter to the youth program and kicking off volunteer recruitment. The LMS (Learning Management System) has been updated. Quizzes have been streamlined and shortened. Video was added to diversify the training experience, and you can complete your training on a mobile friendly app. Progress. Ya know… I remember a time when the LMS was a three-ring binder. We had a handful of coaches and one Adventure Team. The training was nothing more than stuff I collected to hold myself accountable… A handful of ethics, core values, and rules of engagement. We focused a lot on HOW we would do things because how you do things creates your culture. IMO nothing is more important than an organization’s culture. When you have a group of people who believe in each other, trust one another, and like each other… You can do and overcome anything. Nothing can stop you. Failure is not an option. I’m a big believer that we’ve been successful because of the kinda people that get on our bus. Before I let you go, there’s one thing I would like to add. It’s something that keeps me up at night. I’ll call it the “Tyranny of Safety.” Our society has become obsessed with scaring the sh!t out of us so they can swoop in and be the safety police. It’s infecting our minds. It’s impacting our kids. We are losing touch with the world around us because we’re afraid of it, and that brings me to this. Our organization will continue to focus on personal accountability, resilience, courage, adaptability, and helping people become more independent. We will continue to provide difficult experiences to test you, and bring you together. We will continue to serve you before ourself, and lead by example. The world is a dangerous place. No one is going to change that. What we (you) can change is our level of readiness and training. So on that note, it’s 2026… let’s get started. RESEARCH: Playing in dirt transforms children’s health A few weeks ago Todd forwarded me and Marc a link to an article in The Guardian, “read this when you have a quiet moment.” I wasn’t surprised to see the article had to do with kids and the impact of play outdoors. I also wasn’t all that surprised to read about the positive impact on kids who were not just playing outside, but getting their hands into the dirt. I grew up in a small town outside of Grand Rapids. A highlight of my childhood was spending nearly all of my days playing outside. It wasn’t a question of whether we were going to go outside every day – we woke up, had breakfast and were sent out the door, often only returning for snacks, lunch and the occasional bathroom break. We had an endless number of made up games, tree forts, and shenanigans that were top priority. We took a bath nearly every night because we were typically filthy when we came in. Of course, I didn’t realize, and I’m not sure my parents did either the added benefits of playing in the dirt. It’s just what we did. We’re beginning to now understand those benefits on a deeper level – because of the negative trends that began popping up when kids weren’t spending their days in the outdoors. Medical experts are asking and beginning to learn the answer to – why are heath trends in today’s kids on a decline? Our world is different today than it was when I was a kid. Today’s world moves faster, it’s louder, distractions are everywhere. Play, like what’s discussed in the article, often has to be intentional – but that doesn’t make it any less impactful. I don’t think it’s ever been more important to make sure we’re creating opportunities for kids to adventure, play in the mud, and get dirty – it opens up a whole new realm of imagination and discovery – and how great that at the same time, as the research in this article suggests, aids in healthy growth and development. This article also presses the importance of protecting green spaces, parks, trails and places for kids and families to spend time outside together. We need to work together as a community to ensure there isn’t a barrier for this type of play – that our kids have the spaces and places to get dirty. I loved reading the below article and learning about what they’re doing in Finland – I only wish there was more of that happening on a larger scale. But, we can all do our part – and it’s rewarding to know we’re all a part of a community, the 906AT community, that’s creating opportunities and spaces to do just that!By Elizabeth Peterson READ THE ARTICLE VOLUNTEER IN 2026: SIGN UP IS OPEN! The number of kids we’re able to sign up for Adventure Team programming is directly tied to the number of volunteers in each community. For every volunteer, we’re able to open up three youth spots.Volunteers do NOT need to be expert bikers. We provide the training to be an effective volunteer. Volunteers DO need to Lead by Example and commit. Commit to the program. Commit to the 906AT ethos and mission. Commit to putting Service Before Self. And commit to showing up and being present. This program doesn’t just positively impact the kids participating – it changes the adults – for the better. Volunteers must pass a background check and successfully complete the 906AT online training module. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend the Leading Adventure Summit in Marquette in April to further your training and development. 906AT needs active, engaged and dedicated volunteers who believe in building up today’s kids – not by
Crusher 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 31ST AT 9:06 AM Days Hours Minutes Seconds Register CRUSHER-MS Date: 07.18.26 Copper Harbor, Michigan Mass Start events are about community and doing hard things together. The Crusher MS format is harder than your average gravel event. The experience will test you. You will learn about “Yooper Math” and “Checkpoints.” You’re not gonna find a better place on Earth to spend a weekend or a better group of people to spend it with. All MS events begin and end in Copper Harbor (loops), except for the P2P, which is a point-to-point. Join the Crusher Facebook group. It’s the best source for up to date Crusher information and help from the community. Go join it today. Signage: There is none. GPS is required. Routes: We’re headed back to Crusher Country (da Keweenaw). This year, you can choose from the 500-mile bikepack, MS175, MS100, MS40, and MS25, or leave the bike at home and sign up for the MS50NFR or MS25NFR*. Follow the Facebook group and public Crusher page for updates between now and next summer. Teaser routes for each distance have been put out there! * NFR = Not Fun Run MS stands for Mass Start. Learn the Crusher nomenclature. The Mass Start is July 18th-19th, 2026 at the Trail’s End Campground in Copper Harbor. You’ll get to crush it with 400-500 fellow Crushers. We camp together. We cry together. We CRUSH together. Self-supported/Neutral Support. You’re expected to be fully self-sufficient and carry all recommended gear. We’re telling you up front no one is coming to save you. Be prepared. If you’r not prepared stay home. Checkpoints. Are required. Reference the field manual for details. Field Manual. The Field Manual is your single source of truth for all things Crusher. It will contain everything you need to know about the event. The new Field Manual will not be available until early summer 2026, but for now you could download one of the digital copies of the manual on our website to get a feel for what the event is all about. Distances (in miles): 500, 175, 100, 50, 25 (50 and 25 can be biked or run). Timing: Superior Timing. Wanna visit their website? Google it. Photographers: Ryan Stephens Photography, Rob Meendering Photography, and Fresh Coast Exposures. CRUSHER-P2P 500-MILE BIKEPACK Date: 7.13.2026 – 7.19.2026 Somewhere, UPPER PENINSULA Join the Crusher Facebook group. It’s the best source for up to date Crusher information and help from the community. Go join it today. Signage: There is none. GPS is required. Satellite communication devices are recommended for this event. I.E. Garmin Inreach, etc. Route: This is a bikepack route/event. P2P means you start in one place and end in another. There will be logistics. You will need to figure them out. Expect to encounter everything you’d expect from a gravel event, and a lot of stuff you wouldn’t. This includes singletrack. P2P. Point-2-Point. Self-supported. We’re offering you a chance to declare at registration that you’ll complete this challenge unsupported. That means no one can help you from outside the event. If you accept help from anyone, you will be disqualified. We will not move you from unsupported to supported categories mid-event. All P2P riders are required to be fully self-supported. No one is out there to save you. You will be alone. There are inherent dangers in activities of this nature that can only be mitigated by preparation, experience, and grit. Neutral Support. If you register to complete this event “unsupported,” you cannot accept the support of any kind. For everyone else, you know the drill. If you offer help to one rider, you must be willing to help them all if you can. Checkpoints. Are required. Reference the field manual for details. Field Manual. Field Manual. The Field Manual is your single source of truth for all things Crusher. Download a copy of the 2026 field manual as a starting point. Distance (in miles): 500 miles. Date: 7.13.2026 Start Location: Peninsula Point Lighthouse End Location: Trail’s End Campground, 14203 M-26, Copper Harbor, MI 49918 Camping: You can camp at Trail’s End Campground at the finish*. Timing: Superior Timing and Trackleaders. * If you finish CRUSHER-EX Enhanced solo adventuring at it’s worst. Date: 7.01 – 9.30.2026 Also referred to as our expedition format. The ultimate adventure experience. No crowds. No dog and pony show. Just you and the challenge in front of ya. You can complete your ride anytime within the three-month window. You will be all alone. No one is out there to save you. The variety of routes that were offered last year we’re a hit (EX40). We expect to do the same this year. Join the Crusher Facebook group. It’s the best source for up to date Crusher information and help from the community. Go join it today. Signage: There is none. GPS is required. Self-supported/Neutral Support. You’re expected to be fully self-sufficient and carry all recommended gear. We’re telling you up front no one is coming to save you. Be prepared. If you’r not prepared stay home. We’re gonna say this once, and it’s not meant as a comparison of the two formats, but it has to be said: EX is gnarlier, harder, and much more remote than the MS. Go into it fully prepared to be tested in ways you haven’t been tested before. Checkpoints. Are required. Reference the field manual for details. Field Manual.The Field Manual is your single source of truth for all things Crusher. It will contain everything you need to know about the event. The new Field Manual will not be available until early summer 2026, but for now you could download one of the digital copies of the manual on our website to get a feel for what the event is all about. Distances (in miles): EX40BEERS, EX40EAGLE, EX40HUMBODLT, EX100, EX225, and a EX50NFR. Refer to the manual for details. Date: 7.01 – 9.30.2026 Location: Start locations vary. See manual for details. Camping: Not provided. Timing: Trackleaders. Beacons are required for this event. See manual for more details. Photographers:
Doing The Hard Things – December 2025
What’s inside: Thank YOUSponsoring Adventure Teams: For kids, for the communitySponsoring Adventure Teams: From the beginning to todaySponsor Feature: AthaMADE U.P.Volunteer Onboarding coming soonTrain for Life: Even in the off season906AT 12 Days of ChristmasEvents with 906AT To all of you, I want to thank you for… Helping us launch new youth Adventure Teams this year in Ludington and Kalamazoo, and also for helping our existing teams grow, as well. We reached a record number of kids and families in 2025. Your patience as we transitioned volunteers to a brand new Learning Management System. It was a success! Special props to Julie and Marc for the countless hours they invested in setting it up, and rolling it out. Supporting this newsletter and the MADE U.P. Podcast. We’re constantly looking for ways to connect with you, and to help you connect with each other. We will keep the new episodes and newsletters coming your way in 2026. Being the reason all three events, Polar Roll, da Crusher, and Marji Gesick, each broke records for attendance – again! Your continued support of the organization and commitment to “Doing Hard Things” carried us through another great year, and has us poised for another. Supporting our local trail orgs. A portion of the registration you pay for 906AT events is given to orgs who maintain the trails our events use. This year, we donated approximately $40,000 to local trails, because of you. Donating, sponsoring, volunteering, running and/riding in the events, sharing the mission, and most importantly… Leading By Example. Everyone plays a part, and the part they play matters, a lot. Happy Holidays. “I want to encourage people to get involved in their local area.” Every year, sponsor support enables the 906 Adventure Team program to keep costs low for participating families. To state it simply, we wouldn’t be able to offer the program the way we do without the generous partners who’ve joined in our mission for the past 11 years. One of those partners is Dan Farkas with 1st Advantage Realty in Kentwood. This summer will be Dan’s third year supporting Adventure Team Grand Rapids… and his second year as a Trilogy sponsor. For Dan, his desire to give back is personal. Biking and running changed his life for the better, and he wants to carry that forward. Dan says, “The biking part got me more active, it was a keystone that changed my life dramatically, and having intent behind my life – there’s a reflection of that when helping kids around here.” It was the right time and the right place – when he stumbled into a meet-up at Switchback about the launch of Adventure Team in Grand Rapids. He now makes it a point to visit basecamp at least once during programming to see firsthand the impact he’s helping make. “It’s super important to get kids excited and moving to get out there and ride mountain bikes or bikes in general – a lot of kids don’t have the opportunity, and this is the beginning for them.” Dan says he aligns with the mission of 906 Adventure Team – he believes in what we’re doing and he believes in taking care of his community. He’s actively involved in not just 906AT but as a steward for the trails and the spaces we all recreate in – something he wants everyone to take part in. “I want to encourage people to get involved in their local area. I’d really like to see people become trail adopters, trail coordinators, volunteer their time – it takes a village. It’s a lot of work spread amongst dozens – hundreds of people – to get involved and be a part of that – it’s something awesome.” When he’s not helping people find their perfect home at 1st Advantage Realty, he’s volunteering, riding, and training for his next 906AT event. He’s finished the MG50 twice and admits he’s got a bit of unfinished business with the MG100, which might turn into a run in the duathlon. Regardless, he’s committed to bettering the community around him – and continuing to be part of the solution. He’s currently helping to raise funds for Johnson Park in the Grandville area to expand single-track opportunities there and provide a space for thousands of kids to ride. Thanks for all you do, Dan, for your community in West Michigan and ours in the Upper Peninsula and all those in between.By Elizabeth Peterson “It’s pretty cool when I’m walking around the mine and I see someone in a Marji Gesick or Adventure Team shirt.” When Eagle Mine first began sponsoring 906 Adventure Team programming over eight years ago – Matt Johnson, the External Affairs Manager for Eagle Mine says it felt like supporting a startup in the community. The foundation of 906AT was just being built. But the fundamentals and the mission of the organization was set and aligned with Eagle Mine. “As a company we have certain values that we want to promote in our host communities – one of them is supporting youth development, which can be defined in many different ways and in many different activities,” explains Matt. “906AT offers us the opportunity to support the positive of getting kids outdoors in a way that’s not competitive, it’s not pitting one child against another – but rather, having an adventure.” Matt says because of the growth, the success and the positive brand recognition of 906AT, Eagle Mine has continued to support the organization over the years. He recalls some of the kids that were in the program those first years have now graduated college. It’s been a full circle experience for him. “Over the years and the developing success – 906AT has created its own social culture and part of the social culture encourages employees and children of employees to participate in Adventure Teams and events. Whether that was parents dropping kids off or volunteering, participating for events or volunteering for events,” says Matt. “It’s pretty cool when
Polar Roll Registration – 2026
#1 PUT YOUR NAME IN A DRAWING FOR A CHANCE TO REGISTER YOURSELF AND A FRIEND (OR ENEMY) EARLY FOR POLAR ROLL. IF YOUR NAME IS SELECTED, WE’LL TEXT YOU A CODE AFTER 5:00 PM FRIDAY NIGHT. YOU HAVE TO REGISTER BEFORE THE ICEMAN EXPO ENDS AT 7:00 PM!!!! #2 WE’RE HANDING OUT 30 MARJI GESICK GOLDEN TICKETS, BUT THERE’S A CATCH… ONLY TEN OF THEM WILL BE WINNERS!!! BE ONE OF THE FIRST 30 PEOPLE TO FIND US AND ASK FOR A GOLDEN TICKET. #3 WE’RE HANDING OUT **** FREE *** FREEDOM MACHINE SHIRTS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. QUANTITIES LIMITED TO SIZES AVAILABLE ON HAND. WHEN THEY’RE GONE… THEY’RE GONE! #4 LEARN ABOUT THE NEW YOUTH ADVENTURE TEAMS LAUNCHING IN 2026, AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED! #5 CAUSE YA KNOW THERE MUST BE A CATCH, AND YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT IT IS. Supporting Partners
Polar Roll 2026
REGISTRATION OPENS NOVEMBER 9, 2025 @ 9:06 AM Days Hours Minutes Seconds REGISTER WE SOLD OUT IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES LAST YEAR MASS START FEBRUARY 21, 2026 ::: ONLY 400 SPOTS AVAILABLE Date: 2.17.25 Why: You love winter adventuring with 400 of your best friends.Who: Anyone signed up for the Polar Roll-MS, their support crews, friends and family, and sponsors. What: 15 or 30 miles of machine groomed singletrack, by bike or on foot. When: February 17, 2026Where: Start Line: 319 East Division Street, Ishpeming, Michigan 49855 Finish Line: 319 East Division Street, Ishpeming, Michigan 49855 Routes: Will not be released until the week of the event. GPS is required! If you do not use GPS, go off course, or cut the course, you will be disqualified. Event start times: MS-30 (Bike/Hike) *Reference PR26-MOD1 Field Manual when it is released MS-15 (Bike/Hike) *Reference PR26-MOD1 Field Manual when it is released Event Cut-offs: 12 hours for all event lengths. Timing company: https://www.superiortiming.com/ 2026 Field Manual: Coming Soon. POLAR ROLL EX JANUARY 2026 – MARCH 2026 ::: NOT CAPPED Date: 1.26 – 3.26 Why: You prefer your winter adventures alone, or with a small group of friends.Who: Anyone looking for a challenge, or seeking a winter goal. What: EX15, EX30, Duathlon for Dummies, IQ Test. When: January 1 – February 2026Where: Al Quaal Recreation Area Routes: EX routes will be available one week prior to the opening of the EX window. Start Times: Whenever the hell you want. Event Cut-offs: 24 Hours, All events. Timing company: Refer to the Field Manual for details. Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Polar Roll Field Manuals provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. 2026 Field Manual: Coming Soon. POLAR ROLL ULTRA FEBRUARY 23, 2026 ::: PRU150 – 75 SPOTS, PRU100 – 50 SPOTS Date: 2.23.26 Why: Because you’re looking for a new challenge that will take you to your limits. Who: Anyone can sign up. What: PRU150 (150 miles) PRU100 (100 miles) When: February 23, 2026 Where: Start TBD, Finish: West End Ski & Trail, Ishpeming, MI Route: The 2026 route will receive a few “enhancements”. Stay tuned. Start Time: 7:00 AMEvent Cut-off: 48 hours. Buckle Times will be established once the route is finalized.Timing company: https://trackleaders.com/ Again, this page covers only who, what, when, where, and why. Polar Roll Field Manuals provide a much deeper dive into the nuance and fundamentals of each event. In compliance with MCL 324.51113 of the Commercial Forest Act, none of the funds raised for this event will be used as payment or compensation for use of any part of the event that traverses property enrolled in the Commercial Forest Program. 2026 Field Manual: Coming Soon Fuel your roll, your stroll and your life. Self-Support Nutrition by Restore Ease Dietetics will help you build a freeze proof nutrition plan so you can keep rolling, strolling, rolling, strolling, what? Early bird pricing is available through 11/11/2025. More information and sign up here: https://www.restoreeasedietetics.com/sports-nutrition/self-support Supporting Partners
Doing The Hard Things – November 2025
What’s inside: Call to Action: Do The WorkPolar Roll 2026: It gets worse before it gets worserCrusher 2026: Nothing is off the tableRegistration Dates for 2026 eventsNew on MADE U.P.#TRAIN4LIFE906 Adventure Team Powered by Borah TeamwearYouth Adventure Teams 2026: Developing resilient kids to create resilient communities Events with 906AT The theme for this month’s newsletter is “Do The Work”. How ironic, as I sit here putting off writing the opening remarks. My issue isn’t a lack of ambition – that’s never the case. But I am struggling to find the right words. Not just any words – the perfect words. Type, delete. Type, delete. Elizabeth is gonna kill me 😂 And then it hit me – like the fresh scent of Buck lure the first time you open a new bottle. Bam!! That’s the problem. I’m not focusing on getting it done… I’m focusing on it being perfect… and that makes me not wanna do it. Why? Because I don’t wanna fall short of expectations. Do The Work isn’t about perfection. It’s about doing whatever it takes to get the job done no matter how bad or ugly things get. How many times do ya think you’ve cost yourself a finish simply because you wouldn’t go toe-to-toe w/ your self doubt, or because ya didn’t think the way you’d finish would be impressive enuff? How many times have you let emotions get da best of you? Would ya rather be a #quitter who is chasing perfection or a resilient grinder that gets shit done? I’m gonna be honest with ya… That 12 hour buckle at Marji is impressive, but so are those folks who finish at 25 hours after they lost their job, went through a divorce, got sick, etc. it’s all a matter of perspective. With that… I’m not asking ya for perfection, but I am asking ya to join us in 2026 while we keep grinding it out and doing the work 👊🏽 If you’re already involved, stay involved.If you’re not involved, get involved. First off, YES. Polar Roll is a week later this year. Ok… read on. You know what I love about Polar Roll? It gives ya something to shoot for in the winter. A goal to keep you motivated. All of that, and ya never know if it’s gonna be the best day of the winter, or the worst. Ha!. No, I’m serious. It can be downright terrible AND that’s why we do it 👊🏽 The best part? You have options. If you love racing, or just hanging with a bunch like-minded people, register for the Mass Start February 21st. You can bike it or hike it. There’s a chance you might hike it even if you bring a bike 😂 Distances are 15 or 30 miles. You can take all day… Just get er’ done by dark. We typically cap the field around 450 people. Not into big gatherings, or racing? Register for the EX. You can choose your category & do it when you want with whomever you want. Solo or with a couple a friends. EX opens January 10 and wraps up in mid-March. Let’s talk Polar Roll Ultra. We’re adding a shorter distance this year, PRU100, for folks who aren’t quite ready to commit to the PRU140 (150?). The number of spots will be limited. The rules and the gear requirements for this new category will be the same as the big one. If you’re gonna sign up for this one – make sure you know what you’re getting into to. February doesn’t mess around. It can be dangerous out there. This isn’t an attempt to scare ya – it’s me telling you to be ready. The Ultra is February 23rd – 25th, 2026. I wanna touch on one other category – one that often gets overlooked. On the EX side of Polar Roll, we offer a snowshoe sampler. It’s three or four routes that are 2-4 miles a piece that you can do alone, or as a family. Heck, you could do it with your partner, or a friend. The routes are local and easy to access. Most importantly, they give ya a reason to get outside in the winter, and it connects you to the community at large. It’s a great way to get kids outside experiencing winter, and you get to pick when ya go. Complete your adventure between January 10 – and mid-March. What next? Join the Facebook Group here. Polar Roll & Polar Stroll: Winter Adventures is a group of 906AT event veterans, #freshmeat, and crews. This group can help you get ready. Also, you should visit the website www.thepolarroll.com, and download last year’s field manual. Read it. It will tell ya everything you need to know before you roll! Registration sold out last year in less than five minutes. Mark your calendar now. It’s November 9th at 9:06 AM. Spots are limited. Also, this is your last chance to check the Polar Roll off your Triple Crown checklist before we run the first “secret event” in October 2026. Refer to the Trilogy website for more information about how to qualify for the Triple Crown and get inducted into the Hall of Pain. MADE U.P. Episode 30 – Dan: At the end of 2024 Dan Harvala committed to finish all three of the qualifying 906AT Triple Crown Events and become a member of the Hall of Pain in 2025. He talks about that journey, but not before unpacking a great deal of combat experience while serving our county with the United States Marine Corps. MADE U.P. Episode 32 – Wally: NTN Board President since 2021, Wally Pearson drops by to talk trails, a career in medicine (retired MD), and how he hopes to continue making a difference in of both worlds. It can be easy to take access to your favorite trail for granted – but we can’t – we need to all work together to maintain, protect and preserve these spaces for future generations –
2026 MARJI GESICK REGISTRATION OPENS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 9:06 PM
https://vimeo.com/1126619368?share=copy 2026 MARJI GESICK REGISTRATION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH AT 9:06 PM During the week leading up to registration, the site will be password protected to allow sponsors, trail crew, and golden ticket winners a chance to register early. Registration historically sells out in less than a minute. The site will not be password protected when registration opens up on Friday, October 17th at 9:06 PM. • MINI MARJI CAPPED AT 200 SPOTS• RUN CAPS: MG100 (70) MG50 (70), MINI (100)• MARJI CAMP: GROUPS FOR ADULTS AND KIDS AGE 11+ EVERYONE REGISTERS HERE THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Marji Gesick follows a self-supported ethos. We are not here to help you. You’re on your own. No one is out there to save you. GPS is required. Road Rules apply at all times. The course will be marked but signs tend to fall down, the wind blows em’ away, or bears eat them. You are responsible for yourself, your choices, and the consequences. You are voluntarily registering for what people call the “Hardest Single-day Event In America.” You are responsible for yourself, your preparation, your choices, and the outcome. If you’re not okay with that, staying home is safer. “Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face.” – Mike Tyson This weekend only. Early Bird Pricing on Marji Gesick Training Plans from RLP Coaching. Buy A Plan IF YOU DON’T CRY, DOES IT EVEN COUNT? Mud Email When fueling for Marji is the focus but for life is the goal. No matter what day you’re living when Marji rolls around, Self-Support Nutrition by Restore Ease Dietetics will support you from registration to race day and every day after that. Early bird pricing available through 10/19/2025, more info here. Marji Gesick Talk Join one or all of our community groups on Facebook.906AT has a large and active online community. Everyone is welcome to join and be part of it. Groups are a great way to learn about each event, get answers to questions, and get support. Groups are not a great place for your politics and agenda. If you bring them there, we’ll remove you. The groups help people prepare for the events, find their limits, and finish what they start. #unfinishedbusiness#finishwhatyoustart #findyourlimits #blamedanny #marjigesick #blametodd #freshmeat #NUESeries IT’S MARJI GESICK REGISTRATION WEEK. USE ONE OF DA SOCIAL SLIDES BELOW AND HELP US PROMOTE IT. #REGISTER #FRESHMEAT #UNFINISHEDBUSINESS #REGISTRATIONFINISHER FIND YOUR LIMITS Complete the Endurance Trilogy and become a member of the “Hall of Pain.” MORE INFO MARJI CAMP JUNE 4 – 7, 2026 LEARN MORE Supporting Partners