It was Everett who introduced her daughter to roller-skating at indoor rinks, but now years later, it is her daughter who suggested that she gave inline racing a whirl. Taking laps on her inline skates has made the 51-year-old Cathy Everett experience the thrill and joy of childhood. She states that she feels like a kid again.

Many like her, in their late forties and fifties, gathered at the Cook County Curling Club in Grand Marais, all displaying their youthful exuberance, jostling to stay ahead of other racers to the finish line.

This was the excitement and joy that one witnessed at the annual NorthShore Inline (skates) Marathon to Duluth starting from Two Harbours. It was the first such experience for many like Cathy Everett who took part in this 26.2 mile race. In fact, she did so with her daughter, Haley Hotan.

Everett prepared by skating almost two hours a week for six weeks, in addition to walking and stationary biking.

“We used to skate together all the time but have not been able to do that as the miles between us grew,” Everett stated.

The joy was rediscovered. Inline skaters in any part of the globe including the UK know what it means. Inline skating is challenging but fulfilling as well.