About

Race director bio…

Michele Hartwig

Lover of trails, wild flowers, my cats, friends and family

I started running after my kids were born. The picture in the header is me finishing one of my first marathons. My son Royal and daughter Tasha ran me in. I love them so much, and this picture means the world to me.

As I continued this sport I was quickly drawn to trail running, with a strong curiosity towards ultrarunning. I heard about Kettle Moraine 100/100k trail race which is close to my house. I decided to go to the race and spectate as my first ultra-experience.

I showed up at Nordic where Timo and Jason greeted me like an old friend even though I had never met them. I was nervous and intimidated by the event. To be welcomed so warmly helped me relax.

It was my first time seeing aid stations set up on trails, and volunteers caring for runners of all ages, shapes and sizes. I spent the day and night watching runners. I met families, crew, and volunteers. I witnessed how special those night time aid stations are. It was an exciting, laid-back welcoming community. I knew then I wanted to be a part of it.

A year later I showed up at Kettle 100k. I had a great plan, go out at my marathon pace and try and hold it all day. I blew up like a typical newbie, and walked in complete fatigue and agony for the next 50k of mileage. I was hooked on ultra “running”.

Since I enjoy the sport of ultra and trail running so much I wanted to share it with everyone. I decided to put on a trail race on my local trails at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The first race I put on was Earth Day 50k/15 mile/5 mile in 2012.

In life we tend to mimic people we admire. Timo and Jason are two of those people for me. I have thought of them often as I make Race director decisions over the years. As an RD, it is very important to me to that everyone feels as welcome as I did at my first ultra.

I believe in people, and want to help them believe in themselves. Nothing makes me happier than getting to see new runners discover the sport. I feel the sport of ultrarunning is great for entire communities. I have some dear friends that are not ultra or trail runners that have enriched their lives by regularly volunteering at trail races.

Running an ultra-marathon is a huge family commitment. Runners and their crew have put their trust in the race organizers to give them a great event. I take that responsibility very personally, and I work hard to ensure they have a safe and awesome experience.

I am a believer in supporting the things I care about. I care about trails. I am committed to being a good steward to the trails. I am on a few volunteer boards that support trails and outdoor space. I also believe as a trail runner I need to donate above what my tax dollars do to maintain trails.

Outdoor and trail Boards I am active in

Crystal Lake Park District- Board member for 8 years. Served as President and Vice President
Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation- Founding member and President of Board
Trails for Illinois- board member
Hennepin Canal State Park Foundation- supporter and former board member- this foundation works directly with IDNR to organize volunteers & raise money for extra projects at the Hennepin Canal State Park. The board has a passion for creating a great park experience for all park users.
Volunteer Race Director for the Crystal Lake Cardboard Regatta- this is a fundraiser for the Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation
Friends of the Hennepin Canal- former board President, while serving as President secured a grant to pay for fixing the guard lock in Rock Falls. Friends is not associated with the Hennepin Canal State Park although some of their projects benefit it.
Hennepin Canal steering committee- a team organized by IDNR and local decision makers to form a non profit that’s purpose was to support the Hennepin Canal State Park. The Hennepin Canal State Park Foundation was formed because of the support of this team.