Ross Johanningsmeier, who was the first-ever winner of the Maxi Mize as part of the Verna Mize Triathlon, receives his medal from Melissa Lewis, Mize’s cousin, after his victory Saturday in. Houghton. (Photo provided)

HOUGHTON — More than 30 people young and old braved the tepid waters of the Portage Canal and followed the roads and paths that parallel it Saturday for the fifth annual Verna Miza Triathlon. This year’s edition featured three race divisions — all of which began with a swim from the Ray Kestner Park beach towards the Portage Lift Bridge.

“You couldn’t have asked for a nicer day,” noted organizer Mary Kaminski. “From the sun glistening on the swimmers to the ideal temps for running and biking, I suspect Verna was smiling from us from above.”

Mize was a pioneer for Lake Superior in the environmental movement. From 1967-80, the Houghton native led a campaign to prevent a mining company from dumping taconite tailings into Lake Superior. For her efforts, she was given the title, “First Lady of Lake Superior” and was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. A memorial to her is erected on Canal Road.

First in the water were those swimming, biking, and running the Maxi Mize. It had just four participants who swam USTA (US Triathlon Association) distances of 1.5K, then biked 40K and closed with a 10K run.

They were followed by those in the Main Mize, which had 14 athletes. They set out for a half-mile swim, then an eight-mile bike ride and ran for four miles.

Finally were the 15 triathletes who did the Mini Mize. It consisted of a quarter-mile swim, a four-mile bike ride, and then a two-mile run.

Matt Meyer was the first to cross the finish line as a Mini Mize racer with a time of 35:29.

“Swimming is my strong suit, running is not,” said Meyer after crossing the finish line. “Biking went well. It was a good course.”

Sixty-one-year old Jeff Parent was two spots behind Meyer with a time of 37:21.

“I was pleased with my swim and my bike. Running and I do not mix well,” he quipped.

Pam Addis was the first female finisher and the oldest competitor this year. The 63-year-old finished with a time of 51:28 and is believed to have traveled the furthest – Parkersburg, West Virginia.

“This was my first open-water swim,” she said. “My bike was good and my run was good as well. I did the Canal Run several weeks ago. That is why we are up here in the UP.”

First in the Main Mize was Brad Skillicorn with a time of 73:38. Behind him was Wyatt Liston (77:35) and 45-year-old Sara Kinnunen finished third with a time of 81:16.

Last but not least were the Maxi Mize finishers. They included Ross Johanningsmeier, who came in at 164:41 and Eric Johnson at 201:00 minutes.

As in years past, Kaminski was grateful for the cadre of 20 volunteers and the law-enforcement help on the course and on the water.

“They are all amazing people, and the racers are grateful to them as well,” she stated. “It takes a total-team effort to pull this off.”

Jeff Parent transitions from swim to bike in the Verna Mize Triathlon at Ray Kestner Park in Houghton Saturday. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)