Runners begin the Marquette Marathon in a previous year. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — Looking to set a new personal record in the new year? Or have you been working towards qualifying for the Boston Marathon? Or are you looking to run the first marathon of your running career? Make the Marquette Marathon your New Year’s resolution, where you get the opportunity to do all and more.

Registration for the 26th annual Marquette Marathon, and coinciding races, was open as of Jan. 1. Ticket sales will run through the race Expo on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

The marathon and coinciding races take place on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. For the second year in a row, current Northern Michigan Unuversity students receive a discount for all races.

For more information, visit www.marquettemarathon.com

Everything about the Marquette Marathon and its coinciding races:

The Marquette Marathon, Marathon RELAY, Half Marathon and Wildcat 5K are destination races run through the beauty that is Marquette County. You’ll be greeted in Marquette with a stunningly beautiful downhill course, sweet shirts, and a finisher medal. The Marquette Marathon runs on a downhill/certified course that is an official Boston Marathon qualifier.

The Marquette Marathon and Half Marathon run on the scenic Ishpeming to Negaunee to Marquette route, which has received rave reviews from our runners. Both the full and half courses are not only breathtakingly beautiful but they are fast. As you’ll see in the course maps, there are a lot of downhill sections with plenty of aid stations located along the course.

The 5K runs a point-to-point course within Marquette, featuring a gorgeous Lake Superior view and the same downtown finish as the longer races.

The full marathon course has quickly become known as one of the fastest Boston Marathon qualifier courses in the country. The start is in the heart of the small iron mining town, Ishpeming; which means “heaven” in Ojibwa, is home to the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and is proud to be the start of the Noquemanon Ski Marathon. From start to finish: Net elevation drop of 814 feet.

The half marathon course starts at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in another mining town, Negaunee. Negaunee hosts the start of the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic every summer. From start to finish: Net elevation drop of 723 feet.

Both courses join together on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. This trail is a multi-use, year-round trail that connects communities and people to the region’s historic sites and human stories. The trail is partially paved with asphalt along with crushed granite.

Full Marathoners will continue around Presque Isle where they will be privy to some of Marquette’s proudest views and half marathoners will make their way to the finish as they pass the world’s largest dome, the Superior Dome.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.