I looked back....I averaged 14:46 per mile in 2012 on this trail for the HHH...and I am slower now...that trail killed me......
I see now it is essentially the same course with a bit added on at the beginning and end for the 16 miles Grand Traverse route.
The Grand Traverse is not a "race" though... just an organized event. No clocks, no winners, no start/finish line, no fan fare. We did get t shirts though. Apparently the people that did the 27 mile got a commemorative rock as well! I want to go back.
Yes, seems like a good idea to encourage non racers to do an event....Kari and I talked about doing it, hiking with Sydney on our back for the shortest distance, but never pulled the trigger...