The Marquette Marathon is an annual marathon in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, United States. The course runs point-to-point, starting at Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum in Ishpeming, follows the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and ends at the Superior Dome in Marquette.[2][3] It is held annually on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.[4] The race is one of the fastest Boston Marathon qualifiers in the USA, with a descent of almost 800 feet (240 m) in the first 5 miles (8.0 km).[5] The section along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail is on a gravel-covered path through the forest, but the later part of the course features views of Lake Superior.[6]

Marquette Marathon
DateSaturday of Labor Day weekend
LocationIshpeming, Michigan to Marquette, Michigan
Distance26.2 miles (42.2 km)
Primary sponsorNorthern Michigan University and others
Established1977
Official sitewww.marquettemarathon.com
Participants500+[1]

As of 1990, the Marquette Marathon was the only marathon in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.[7] As such, it may have been the first marathon in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The Marquette Marathon brings nearly $500,000 to the Marquette community according to the Marquette Marathon committee, which is consistent with studies of the economic impact of smaller marathon events.[8][9][10] However this positive impact is contested by some local business owners who claim road closures reduce sales by 10% the day of the race.

Race history

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The Marquette Marathon was first run in 1977 with 49 finishers.[11] Since then, it has gone by several names and used different course routes. The first iteration of the Marquette Marathon was run from 1977 until 1982; the renamed Northern Shufflers Marathon was between 1984 and 1996.[12][13][14] The race director in 1979 may have been Pat Nardini.[15] The 1983 version of the race was known as the Marquette National Bank and Trust Marathon and featured a course from Negaunee, Michigan to Marquette that was described as "hilly from start to finish."[16] The 1988 Northern Shufflers Marathon ran from the Wawonowin Golf Club in Ishpeming, Michigan and ended at Northern Michigan University.[17]

In 1992, an organizer of the Northern Shufflers Marathon in Michigan organized the "Northern Shufflers Delaware Marathon" so that interested runners could complete a marathon in every US state as Delaware did not then have a marathon.[18][19][20] The race started and finished at the University of Delaware fieldhouse.[21] A total of 62 runners from 37 states took part in the one-time event.[22]

The Marquette Marathon was restarted in 2010, and the current course, finishing at the Superior Dome, has been run since 2021. Before this change, the race finished on North Third Street near Blackrocks Brewery.[23]

In 2020, the race was canceled due to COVID-19. However, nine runners ran the course in an unofficial virtual race.[24]

The Marquette Marathon was part of the Great Lakes Marathon Series, a circuit of 25 marathon races near the Great Lakes, from 2013 until 2019.[25][26][27]

Race weekend

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The race expo is held on Friday of Labor Day weekend at the Superior Dome. There is a one-mile kids' race called the Pebble Run on the same day.

On Saturday, the Marquette Marathon starts at 7:30 am; the Marquette Half Marathon starts in Negaunee, Michigan at 9:00 am; and the Wildcat 5 km race starts (at 9:00 am) and finishes at the Superior Dome.

Winners

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Date Men's winner Time
(h:m:s)
Women's winner Time
(h:m:s)
August 31, 2024 Adam Martin Caldwell 2:19:27.9 Courtney Rouse 2:59:54.8
September 2, 2023 Noah Jacobs 2:34:26.8 Violet Butts 2:59:45.8
September 3, 2022 Chris Scott 2:33:51.6 Elizabeth Dollas 2:54:48.1
September 4, 2021 Alex Dennis 2:39:05.9 Liza Breznau 2:59:15.8
August 31, 2019 Samuel Parlette 2:35:47.2 Tiffany Kari 3:05:11.8
September 1, 2018 Joe Ketarkus 2:59:58.3 Mandy Dye 3:10:17.7
September 2, 2017 Alex Prasad 2:43:03.6 Sarah Kasabian-Larson 2:57:17.8
September 3, 2016 Brad Vincent 2:49:51.2 Janet Becker 3:06:01.5
September 5, 2015 Nate Hoffman 2:36:41.1 Elizabeth Whiting 3:00:49.4
August 30, 2014 Vince Bechard 2:35:51.7 Christina Carradine 3:15:03.3
August 31, 2013 Jon Rock 2:29:04.6 Elizabeth Jones 3:06:56.5
September 1, 2012 Matthew Paullin 2:44:17.2 Christina Mishica 3:13:28.9
September 3, 2011 Luis Cruz 2:45:05.4 Elizabeth Jones 3:13:38.5
September 4, 2010 Ricky Alvarez 2:37:57.8 Elizabeth Jones 3:01:52.7
September 14, 1996[28] unknown unknown unknown unknown
1995[29] unknown unknown unknown unknown
1994 unknown unknown Gay Keskey unknown[30]
September 18, 1993[31][32] unknown unknown unknown unknown
September 19, 1992[33] unknown unknown unknown unknown
September 15, 1990 Judd Johnson 2:43:59[34] Wanda Cousineau 3:08:10[35]
1989[36] unknown unknown unknown unknkown
September 24, 1988[37] unknown unknown unknown unknown
September 20, 1986[38] unknown unknown unknown unknown
September 22, 1984 Chris Danielson 2:42:11 Rhonda Henderson 3:58:31
September 10, 1983[39][40][41] unknown unknown unknown unknown
September 18, 1982 Chris Danielson 2:38:10 Laurie Hallifax 3:23:18
September 12, 1981 Doug Kurtis 2:15:31[42] Sally Sakalos 3:15:16[43]
September 6, 1980 Doug Riske 2:32:16 Sheila Joosten 3:12:24
September 8, 1979 Chris Danielson 2:32:46[44] Eunice Carlson 2:50:53[45]
September 9, 1978 Chris Glowacki 2:39:17 Eunice Carlson 3:00:31
September 10, 1977 Scott Lachniet 2:35:14 Denise Green 3:39:45

Past half marathon winners

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Date Men's winner Time
(h:m:s)
Women's Winner Time
(h:m:s)
August 31, 2024 Ian Torchia 1:09:57.8 Maggie Priebe 1:19:50.7
September 2, 2023 Alex Dennis 1:09:22.7 Kathy Vandehy 1:14:11.8
September 3, 2022 Charles Smogoleski 1:06:05.8 Natalie Anderson 1:21:44.9
September 4, 2021 Richard Swor 1:06:20.1 Katie Lakin 1:22:11.3
August 31, 2019 Alexander Dennis 1:17:23.7 Callie Bartel 1:27:11.4
September 1, 2018 Samuel Parlette 1:11:45.2 Kameron Burmeister 1:19:04.8
September 2, 2017 Jeffrey Quednow 1:14:41.4 Callie Bartel 1:25:16.0
September 3, 2016 Nathaniel Langlie 1:15:32.2 Victoria Phillippi 1:28:10.1
September 5, 2015 Daniel Dehlin 1:13:46.5 Melissa Burkart 1:19:17.8
August 30, 2014 Tracy Lokken 1:14:45.1 Melanie Bicigo 1:28:51.1
August 31, 2013 Tracy Lokken 1:10:07.3 Alison Goss 1:28:43.8
September 1, 2012 Tracy Lokken 1:12:36.0 Alison Goss 1:33:17.7
September 3, 2011 Tracy Lokken 1:09:12.4 Alison Goss 1:32:20.8
September 4, 2010 Tracy Lokken 1:12:53.4 Valerie Kelso 1:34:49.2

Past Wildcat 5 km winners

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Date Men's winner Time
(m:s)
Women's winner Time
(m:s)
August 31, 2024 Qwynn Darnell 17:16.5 Emma Ziegler 23:06.1
September 2, 2023 Qwynn Darnell 17:27.2 Chessie Sergey 21:20.2
September 3, 2022 Anthony Plana 18:25.7 Chessie Sergey 22:00.5
September 4, 2021 Scott Carhoun 18:16.1 Roman Menhart 21:59.2
August 31, 2019 Jeffrey Quednow 17:53.1 Amber Huebner 22:06.8
September 1, 2018 Lucas Cavalieri 18:46.2 Laurie Tardiff 21:05.3
September 2, 2017 Brent Skaw 18:01.1 Deedra Irwin 19:05.8
September 3, 2016 Richard Sandlin 17:16.5 Rebecca Kraemer 23:09.1

References

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  1. ^ "Record-setting year for Marquette Marathon". Upper Michigan Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. September 5, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Huff, Matthew (July 9, 2024). "Make a Splash and Maybe Clock a PR With These Best Beach Town Races". Runner's World. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  3. ^ Kwapisz, Nathan (September 1, 2022). "NMU students prepare for Marquette Marathon". University Wire. Carlsbad.
  4. ^ Kwapisz, Nathan (September 1, 2022). "NMU students prepare for Marquette Marathon". The North Wind. Northern Michigan University.
  5. ^ Nothaft, Patrick (May 19, 2019). "Off the Beaten Path: Several Unique and Challenging Road Races Show Case Michigan's Unique Summer Appeal". Ann Arbor News.
  6. ^ D'Addona, Dan (September 7, 2018). "Oren qualifies for Boston Marathon: Hamilton graduate will compete in nation's biggest race". The Holland Sentinel.
  7. ^ Dwight, Jim (July 13, 1990). "Take a run on the state's wild side: The UP". Detroit Free Press.
  8. ^ Hunter, Cali (March 30, 2017). "Sharing Third Street". The North Wind. Northern Michigan University.
  9. ^ Burge, Bruce (September 18, 2013). "U.P. communities good model for rest of state". The North Wind. Northern Michigan University.
  10. ^ Wicker, Pamela; Hallman, Kirstin; Zhang, James (November 30, 2012). "What is influencing consumer expenditure and intention to revisit? An investigation of marathon events". Journal of Sport and Tourism. Vol. 17, no. 3. pp. 165–182. doi:10.1080/14775085.2012.734058.
  11. ^ "Race Profile". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. September 10, 1977. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "Evans 'shuffles' to third-place finish". The Sault Star. September 22, 1986.
  13. ^ Hanlon, Stephen (April 16, 1994). "Running Down a Dream". The Times. Munster, Indiana.
  14. ^ Williams, Katherine (May 21, 1996). "Madison Runner Enjoys Fast Track". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin.
  15. ^ "Local Briefs". The Sault Star. June 15, 1979.
  16. ^ "State Races: From Scenic to Fun". Detroit Free Press. October 2, 1982.
  17. ^ "Running". Green Bay Press-Gazette. August 21, 1988.
  18. ^ Driscoll, Rob (June 30, 1992). "American brakeman pads marathon stats". Whitehorse Daily Star.
  19. ^ Sandstrom, Eric (July 4, 1992). "Delaware Marathon completes puzzle". The Akron Beacon Journal.
  20. ^ Demby, Mary F. (July 24, 1992). "Marathon". The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware).
  21. ^ "Webb wins marathon". The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware). July 26, 1992.
  22. ^ "55 Hours of Sports". The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware). July 24, 1992.
  23. ^ Rifenburgh, Adam (August 31, 2017). "Runners Fill The Streets This Weekend for the Marquette Half & Full Marathon Plus the Blackrocks 5k!". Fox Sports Marquette. Marquette, Michigan: WFXD-FM. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  24. ^ Markle, Tyler (September 12, 2020). "Runners participate in 'virtual' Marquette Marathon". Upper Michigan Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  25. ^ Nelson, Kyle (April 2, 2013). "25 events combine to form Great Lakes Marathon Series". Grand Rapids Herald-Review.
  26. ^ Copper, Mike (September 14, 2013). "Marathon set for Sunday at Presque Isle". Erie Times-News.
  27. ^ "Important Notice". Race Roster. December 5, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  28. ^ "Recreation Notes". The Capital Times. May 21, 1996.
  29. ^ "Sports Briefs". The Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan). June 20, 1995.
  30. ^ Trethewey, Ron (August 9, 1995). "Clemens family comes a long way in marathon running". The Daily Globe (Ironwood, Michigan).
  31. ^ Hanlon, Stephen (April 16, 1994). "Running Down a Dream". The Times (Hammond, Indiana).
  32. ^ "Running". Detroit Free Press. April 16, 1993.
  33. ^ "Running". Detroit Free Press. September 18, 1992.
  34. ^ "Cousineau leads the pack". The Sault Star. September 17, 1990.
  35. ^ "Cousineau leads the pack". The Sault Star. September 17, 1990.
  36. ^ Walton, Scott (April 14, 1990). "Teacher realizes long-running goal". Detroit Free Press.
  37. ^ "Running". Green Bay Press-Gazette. August 21, 1988.
  38. ^ "Local Digest". The Sault Star. September 22, 1986.
  39. ^ "Running". Green Bay Press-Gazette. August 28, 1983.
  40. ^ "Sports Briefs". Petoskey News-Review. September 1, 1983.
  41. ^ Partridge, Rick (September 1, 1983). "September's a busy month". The Sault Star.
  42. ^ "Novi runner breaks record in Marquette marathon". Detroit Free Press. September 13, 1981.
  43. ^ "Novi runner breaks record in Marquette marathon". Detroit Free Press. September 13, 1981.
  44. ^ "Chuck Pankrantz Finishes in Top Ten". Green Bay Press-Gazette. September 16, 1979.
  45. ^ "Chuck Pankrantz Finishes in Top Ten". Green Bay Press-Gazette. September 16, 1979.
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