Ruth Edwards and Alexey Vermeulen Take Wins at 40th Annual Chequamegon MTB Festival

CABLE, Wisconsin (September 16, 2023) – The 2023 Life Time ​​Chequamegon MTB Festival brought 2,800 riders to northern Wisconsin on Saturday. In the competitive professional division–part of the Life Time Grand Prix, Ruth Edwards and Alexey Vermeulen won the 40-mile race, while amateurs from all walks of life tested themselves on the 40-mile or 16-mile courses and the Little Loggers kids loop.

“We enjoyed welcoming all riders and spectators to the … Chequamegon MTB Festival … in its 40th year,” said Peter Spencer, Event Manager at Life Time. “The local communities, volunteers and entire race staff were proud to go above and beyond to provide a memorable experience for all who make the trek to revel in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.”

This unique point-to-point course begins in downtown Hayward, Wisconsin, and follows parts of the famed American Birkie Cross-country Ski Trail, taking racers on forest roads and snowmobile trails with short, punchy climbs throughout Sawyer and Bayfield counties to the finish line at the Great Hall in Cable, Wisconsin.

Hannah Otto pushed the pace early in the race with a large group of more than 20 women staying together through the first 11 miles. The group gradually got whittled down with Alexa Skarda, Ruth Edwards, and Jenna Rinehart leading through mile 23. Edwards and Rinehart managed to gain a nearly 2 minute lead with Edwards beating Skarda in a sprint to the finish line. Sofia Gomez Villafane placed third and retains her lead in the Life Tie Grand Prix standings.

The men’s race also stayed together early on, with Keegan Swenson, Alexey Vermeluen, and Peter Stetina all well placed through mile 11, but shortly after former Chequamegon winner Brian Matter broke off the front and gained 20 seconds. Matter was brought back by the group by mile 23. A large group of more than 10 riders stayed together until the end, with former Chequamegon winner Vermeulen winning the field sprint. Swenson placed second and retains his grasp as the Life Time Grand Prix leader.