About 'Lard Loop 2010

The ‘Lard Loop is an athletic event which is a 6-mile race around “The Horn,” a route which starts in Tower and loops out to Lake Vermilion, through Soudan and back to Tower.

The ‘Lard Loop was created to honor Ballard’s memory and keep him alive in a way that would make him proud and represent who he was in life. Ballard could often be seen along the race route on his bike with his little dog Spike. Also, though he was frequently exercising, he often joked about his “fine physique” which didn’t much resemble that of an athlete. Thus the name “’Lard Loop” (also short for Ballard, as in the duck but with a “B”), and the fact that you can run, walk, bike, rollerblade -- in any way haul your butt around the horn!

This event is intended to bring together and energize the community and raise funds to support a scholarship for iron range graduates who wish to pursue a medical-related career.

What: ‘Lard Loop 2010
When: July 31, 2009, 9:00 a.m.
Where: Tower, MN (Race starts in front of the fire hall)
How: Walk, Run, Bike, Rollerblade

How Much: $20 dollar registration fee in advance by mail or online, $25 race-day registration. T-shirt included for first 150 registrants.
Why: All proceeds go to the Ballard Turnbull Scholarship Fund

Packet Pickup & Race-Day Registration:
8:00 – 8:45 a.m.; Tower Fire Hall

Race Course:
Race starts at Tower Fire Hall, crosses Main Street toward HooDoo Point Campground on the bike trail. Past the campground the race continues on Hoodoo Point Road through the beautiful scenery to the next view of the lake at McKinley Park. Here the course picks up the bike trail again heading past the entrance for the Soudan Mine, through Soudan, and across the Hwy 169 to the taconite trail. The trail will take participants back into the town of Tower where they will head up S. 2nd Street to the finish line outside Good Old Days bar & grill.

Starting Line:
Race participants should be at/near the starting line by 8:50 a.m. and should line up in the following order: Bicyclists, Rollerbladers, Runners, then Walkers. 9:00 am start.

Awards:
Awards will be given for the male and female winner of each category – run, walk, and wheels (bike/rollerblade), top finisher in each age group, and all kids under 15. The first 150 participants to register will receive a ‘Lard Loop 2010 T-shirt.

Post-Race Party:
After the race participants, friends and family can enjoy live entertainment outside the Good Old Days bar & grill. Snacks and water are available for race participants, and each race participant will receive a free drink at Good Old Days. And back by popular demand, the raffle and silent auction with truly fabulous prized donated by local merchants.

Click link on right to register online or print the application to register by mail!