Hundreds of racers begin the 48-mile Hard Rock race at the annual Ore to Shore at a previous event, which stretches from downtown Negaunee to Lakeview Arena in Marquette. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — Bike riders from all over the state will converge on Marquette County on Saturday.

Michigan’s largest mass start, point-to-point mountain biking event is coming back, starting in the city of Marquette.

The race has a positive impact on tourism. Over 2,500 people were registered for the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic as of Tuesday. Of those, race officials say 70% of the participants will travel from areas outside Marquette County to attend.

Ore to Shore race coordinator Nicole Dewald-Swenson said anyone who can ride a bike can find a place in the annual Ore to Shore.

The events consist of a series of scenic biking races of varying lengths — two of which reward winners with cash prizes. The highest payout goes to the 48-Mile Hard Rock’s first-place male and female solo bikers at $1,600.

“The Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic invites families to participate in the Jimmy John’s Fastest Family challenge during this year’s 48-Mile Hard Rock and 28-Mile Soft Rock events,” Dewald-Swenson said. “The challenge is based on the fastest times of three or more family members living in the same household.”

Those younger than 16 years old are prohibited from competing in the high-reward 48-Mile Hard Rock. But there are several other races designed for youth, including the 28-Mile Soft Rock, 10-Mile Shore Rock, 4-Mile Junior Rock, 1-Mile Little Rock and 50-Yard Littlest Rock.

Spectators can watch the bikers in the 48-Mile Hard Rock speed off from their start line in historic Negaunee and can follow the race with a variety of spectator locations provided by the Ore to Shore website.

“The epic courses travel through Ishpeming, past towering head-frames from underground mining, then move north into the beautiful wilderness,” Dewald-Swenson said. “Next, crossing or running alongside of the Dead River all the way into Marquette, racers eventually meet up with the Lake Superior shoreline.”

Start times and locations for the Saturday morning races are:

≤ 8 a.m. the 10-Mile Shore Rock starts from Lakeview Arena in Marquette

≤ 9 a.m. the 28-Mile Soft Rock starts from Lakeview Elementary School in Negaunee

≤10 a.m. and the highly-anticipated 48-Mile Hard Rock starts from downtown Negaunee on Rail Street.

Races that start at Lakeview Arena on Saturday afternoon are:

≤ 4 p.m. 4-Mile Junior Rock

≤ 5 p.m. 1/2-Mile Littlest Rock

≤ 5:15 p.m. 1-Mile Little Rock 5:15 p.m.

More details can be found at oretoshore.com. Any questions or concerns should be directed to oretoshore@gmail.com.