Sam Holmes of downstate Williamsburg, right, leads Nick Petersen of Green Bay, Wis., as both race near the Forestville Trailhead during the Noquemanon Ski Marathon's 50-kilometer Classic race on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Marquette Township. The pair finished about a minute apart, with Holmes coming in fifth and Petersen sixth. (Journal photo by Travis Nelson)

By ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

and DREYMA

BERONJA

Journal Staff Writers

MARQUETTE — The 25th annual Noquemanon Ski Marathon will take place this Saturday. More commonly known as the “Noque,” it’s a point-to- point event hosted across the rugged and beautiful terrain of Marquette County organized by the Noquemanon Trail Network.

Junior races including the five-kilometer Classic, 3K Classic and 1K Classic to begin at 4 p.m. today at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming. A racer bulletin will be provided at the ski expo also on Friday night at 5 p.m. in the Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome.

Beginning this year, there is no cost for the Junior Noque skiers. According to the event’s Facebook page, registration fees will be covered annually through a gift in memory of Cheri Rundman.

Rundman skied the Noque for several years and was an elite level skier from Ishpeming.

“To further commemorate Cheri’s legacy, the Junior Noque will officially be known as the Rundman Jacobson Junior Noquemanon,” Noquemanon Ski Marathon said on Facebook.

Saturday’s events include the 50K Classic, 3K and 1K Adaptive Ski, 12K Classic, 50K Freestyle, 24K Classic, 24K Freestyle and the 15-Mile Snowshoe Wave. The Superior Dome will open at 6 a.m. An hour later, busing to the start line will commence. By 8:10 a.m. the first event will begin at the Al Quaal Recreation Area.

It’s important to note that some roads in Marquette will be shut down on Saturday from 3 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to accommodate the Noque.

Areas affected by the closure are Hawley Street, from Presque Isle Avenue to Lakeshore Boulevard; Wright Street, from Presque Isle Avenue to Lakeshore Boulevard; Schneider Mill Court, from River Park Circle to end of Schneider Mill Court; and Powder Mill Road, from Wright Street to the end of Powder Mill Road.

The detour route to access Lakeshore Boulevard from Hawley Street and Wright Street will be Presque Isle Avenue south to Fair Avenue, then Fair Avenue east to Lakeshore Boulevard.

As of Thursday, the Noquemanon Ski Marathon’s Facebook announced that the 24K, half Noque, is full.

“This also means that we will not be able to accommodate any additional transfers from the 50K to the 24K at this time,” organizers said on Facebook. “If there are extenuating circumstances that would require a transfer, those will need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”

For more information on the ski marathon, visit online at noquemanon.com.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.