——————

MARQUETTE — The 23rd annual Marquette Marathon will be held in and around the city during Labor Day weekend on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Sponsored by Eagle Mine, the marathon is considered a destination race around Marquette County on a downhill certified course that is an official Boston Marathon qualifier.

Runners can sign up for several other races to also be held that Saturday — the Marquette Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and the Wildcat 5K, all of which go to support Northern Michigan University athletics. The one-mile Kids Pebble Fun Run will be held on Friday evening, Sept. 2.

Each of the other races also has a sponsor — the relay by Nicolet Bank, half marathon by Meijer, the 5K by Digs City Beach and Double Trouble Entertainment and the kids run by Marquette Pediatric Dentistry.

“The Marquette Marathon is an important community event, and we are excited to see it continue to grow,” NMU Director of Athletics Forrest Karr said. “The course is fast and scenic with a variety of race distances providing opportunities for runners of all levels to achieve personal bests while enjoying the Upper Peninsula.”

Last year’s marathon marked the return of the actual run with a “virtual” event held instead in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic in the fall of 2020.

All marathon and half marathon runners will receive a shirt, while finishers also receive a medal. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers, along with the top three in these age groups — 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+. All Marquette Marathon Relay runners will receive a shirt, and finishers will receive a medal. Overall awards will also be presented to the top relay teams.

Wildcat 5K finishers will also receive a shirt, and awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers, as well as the top two in the age groups of 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.

Scott Moore, left, of Miami and Chase Marohi of Clarksville reach the finish line just outside the Superior Dome during the Marquette Marathon on Sept. 4, 2021. Moore ran the full marathon and Marohi the half-marathon. (Journal file photo)

Kids race participants receive a Marquette Pediatric Dentistry cinch sack along with a ribbon, while trophies will be presented to the top three girls and top three boys.

The Marquette Marathon expo will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, inside NMU’s Superior Dome in Marquette. Runners can pick up race packets and browse the booths of local vendors.

The marathon and relay follow the scenic Iron Ore Heritage Trail from Ishpeming to Negaunee to Marquette, which has received rave reviews from past runners. The marathon and relay start at the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum in Ishpeming, while the half marathon begins at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum trailhead in Negaunee Township. Both the full and half courses are described as breathtakingly beautiful and fast with an approximate total downhill drop of 800 feet.

Post-race, there will be an awards ceremony outside the dome with entertainment from Double Trouble Entertainment. Food and drinks will be provided and available for purchase. All race finishers receive a complimentary beverage and food voucher.

More information is available at the marathon website at marquettemarathon.com, while runners can view the race map at www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1m_PQ5y1PHAy7S-muKqewdkZBaMSk28sy&ll=46.526311633508605%2C-87.59422707053693&z=11.

Information prepared by Northern Michigan University and edited by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.