Arrowhead 135 Race Review by John Storkamp

Race: Arrowhead 135 (Foot Division)
Location: International Falls, MN to Tower, MN
Date: Monday January 31, 2011 to Wednesday February 2nd, 2011


For the past 6 years I have spent the first few days of the month of February pulling a 40 LB sled full of survival gear 135 miles through the remote Northern Minnesota wilderness. Battling this race over the years I have earned 3 wins, one tie for third and two DNFs - with finishing times ranging from 53 hours to 40 hours. Even though the weather presented some challenges this year (OK, it does every year), overall this was an up year for me, finishing in first place, about 3 hours ahead of 2nd place and a very talented field in a time of 43:32:00. Conditions varied from just above 0 F to - 40 F. Once again I lived the accumulated lessons I have learned over several years racing this type of event; respect your fellow competitors, respect the remoteness of the trail and respect the extreme cold. Thanks to the Race Director(s) Dave and Mary Pramann and all the
volunteers for putting on a top notch event. www.arrowheadultra.com

Gear used: INOV-8 Flyroc 345 GTX - my feet were warm and dry for 44 + hours in sub zero conditions, reaching consistent lows of -25 F and reports from the trail of -42 F. Each year all of the worlds major automobile manufacturers spend millions of dollars cold testing their cars and trucks in the area of Northern Minnesota where the Arrowhead 135 is held - I have tested INOV-8's Gore-Tex shoes in these brutal conditions for the past several years. Have they passed? You be the judge. http://www.inov-8.com