NEGAUNEE – The Red Earth Classic mountain biking races this weekend in Negaunee and Ishpeming are getting bigger and better in their third year.

Organizers hope to raise money for a number of western Marquette County organizations while giving lots of people an opportunity to try out the various trails in their area.

“The biggest thing is that we have something for the spectators with the festival in downtown Neguanee this year with the huge festival grounds,” said Justin Koski, who with Matt Palomaki are directors of six races to be held on Saturday and Sunday.

The Bikes, Burgers, Beer and Bluegrass Festival will be set up near the Saturday course start and finish lines at the Jackson Mine Park, with food from Jackson’s Pit of Negaunee a highlight there.

“They’ll have their gourmet burgers and their most popular specialty wraps,” Koski said. “Cognition Brewing (of Ishpeming) will also be on hand with five different types of beers.”

The festival itself begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 10 p.m., with the band Chasin’ Steel to play at 7 p.m.

Funds raised are expected to help a variety of groups including the Ishpeming Ski Club and the Youth Mountain Biking Development Program, along with several more traditional charitable organizations.

The races kick off at 10 a.m. in that area with the 20-mile Loader and 12-mile Dozer races, which won’t be as difficult as in years past with more severe hills from the Al Quaal Recreation Area trails taken out.

But they still expect a tough course for the expert riders from around the Midwest who take part in the 32-mile Beast race that starts at noon.

In addition, the three- and five-mile Junior Classic runs start at 5:30 p.m.

On Sunday, a new event, the Red Earth Enduro, starts at 10 a.m. It is a series of short, mostly downhill circuits that riders will travel around on a course totaling around 10 miles.

“It’s a mix of cross country and downhill races, and it’s only timed in the downhill sections,” Koski said.

While early online registration is no longer open, prospective racers can still sign up either on Friday night from 5-9 p.m. with cash or check at the Jackson Mine Park during packet pickup or on Saturday race morning.

Koski urges those who sign up for the 20- and 12-mile races to get to the park at around 8 a.m. to insure completion of the process.

Volunteers are also being sought in a few areas, with more detailed information on all the events surrounding the Red Earth Classic, including an overview of the race courses, available at its website, www.redearthclassic.com.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.