Carol J. Hochstein Foundation, K2 offer course record bounties

The Carol J. Hochstein Foundation for Inline Safety will underwrite the 2009 NorthShore Inline Marathon $10,000 women's course record bounty. The newly formed nonprofit, named in honor of elite veteran skater and pediatric nurse Carol Hochstein, is working to promote safe skating through one simple message: "Check. Watch. Wear. Warn." (Look for them at this year's NSIM Expo!)

The current NSIM women's course record was set in 1998 by Heather Elliot–Gunnin at 1:10:26. She averaged 22.32 miles per hour on the 26.2-mile course down the north shore of Lake Superior.

Interest in the course record challenge is already attracting attention of the world's elite skaters.

"Heather is a tough competitor and one of the world's best skaters," said Debbie Rice, an elite U.S. skater for Team Bont. "Now, the incentive is there to take her record away. This bounty will bring in some of the best in the world to compete for this unprecedented prize."

Popular skate manufacturer K2 has stepped up again, challenging elite skaters to break the current men's course record (57:18). 2006 Olympic speed skating gold Medalist Chad Hedrick set the current mark in 1998 on 80mm wheels - albeit with the aid of a steady 12mph tailwind. These guys put an exclamation point on the Inline Marathon that stands to this day.

Today's skate technology (110 mm wheels, for one) and the amazing athleticism of the many world-class skaters who participate mean the record is up for the breaking.

All told, over $30,000 in prize money will be presented to this year's elite winners in a variety of age categories.