40 Below Marquette County YP

The Iron Range Roll is a 16 mile point to point fun (but timed) race from Ishpeming to Marquette along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail (IOHT). This relay/run/bicycle event celebrates the heritage and recreational culture of Marquette County – all in the name of giving back to our community’s youth through the YMCA of Marquette County’s “Reach & Rise” youth mentoring program. Along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, from downtown Ishpeming to the iconic Ore Dock in Marquette, recreational and community enthusiasts of all ages will participate in a friendly timed downhill excursion on foot, bicycle, or as part of a relay team.

40 Below Young Professionals of Marquette County is honored to partner with our sponsors, the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, the Cities of Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Marquette, Townships of Negaunee and Marquette, and the YMCA’s “Reach and Rise” program to present an annual recreation event that celebrates the connection of our communities along the IOHT. The “Iron Range Roll” aims to be an all-inclusive event that promotes healthy living, fun, and giving back with participants of all ages and abilities. Bicycle riders, relay runners, and runners will be staggered in separate start groups to facilitate safe and smooth transitions. At the conclusion of “The Roll,” an awards ceremony and celebration will be held at the Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette.

Are you ready to roll? Get ready to dust off that bike, assemble your relay team, and exchange your snow boots for sneakers. Interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or joining 40 Below in planning the Iron Range Roll? Email [email protected] or check out the Events calendar for Iron Range Roll Task Force meeting dates.

Date

The fourth annual Iron Range Roll is scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2017. The individual running race start is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., with the bike and relay races beginning at 1:30 p.m. There will be two mass start waves for the 1:30 p.m. races: cyclists, followed by relay run teams (2-4 individuals per team). An after party and awards ceremony will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ore Dock Brewing Company.

Cause

Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Marquette County's "Reach & Rise" youth mentoring program.

Registration & Race Bag Pick-Up

Registration opens on March 1, 2017! NEW THIS YEAR: RACE DAY REGISTRATION WILL BE OFFERED. NOTE: Limited bibs will be available and participants registering the day of the race will not be guaranteed a shirt. In order to make things easier for participants, bibs with embedded timing chips, course information, race bags, and t-shirts will be handed out at the Marquette Commons on Friday, June 2, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. No refunds.

March 1 – March 31

Individual Runner $25.00
Youth Runner (12 and Under) $15.00
Individual Cyclist $25.00
Youth Cyclist (12 and Under) $15.00
2-4 Person Relay Team (Run) $100.00

April 1 – April 30

Individual Runner $35.00
Youth Runner (12 and Under) $25.00
Individual Cyclist $35.00
Youth Cyclist (12 and Under) $25.00
2-4 Person Relay Team (Run) $135.00

May 1 - June 3

Individual Runner $40.00
Youth Runner (12 and Under) $30.00
Individual Cyclist $40.00
Youth Cyclist (12 and Under) $30.00
2-4 Person Relay Team (Run) $160.00

All individuals who register by May 4, 2017 will be guaranteed an Iron Range Roll t-shirt with entry payment. Registration will launch on March 1, 2017.

Race Route & Relay Logistics

Starts at the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum in Ishpeming and ends at the Marquette Commons in Marquette (with awards ceremony to follow at Ore Dock Brewing Company). NEW THIS YEAR: The individual 16 mile race from years past has been modified to an 8 mile race. The 8 mile race will begin at the intersection of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and M-35 in Negaunee. For more information on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, visit www.ironoreheritage.com.

By law, volunteers are not permitted to stop traffic and as such, all racers must follow rules of the road and will be asked to stop at road crossings along the trail. We ask that racers respect this request and our volunteers who are dedicating their time and energy to a safe and friendly race course. This course crosses highways and other roads, and all racers must stop at all road and highway crossings along the course. Volunteers and law enforcement may be present at intersections with stop signs to help warn you of the intersections, but they are not required to warn you. Volunteers will not stop traffic and are not authorized by law to stop traffic. If a participant fails to stop at crossings, he/she will be disqualified from the race and will not receive a race time or award.

Relay starts will be located at the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum, Old Towne Park in Negaunee, the intersection of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and M-35, and Schwemwood Park. Each relay length will be approximately 4 miles. Water and aid stations will be present every two miles. Racers are encouraged to bring their own water if they feel they need it more frequently.

The course will remain secured until 5:00 p.m. At that time, the event is officially concluded and there will be no traffic protection and aid stations will cease operation.

Participants can download course data to their electronic devices by clicking here. (Full URL: https://adventures.garmin.com/en-US/by/gpsmjs/iron-range-roll-june-3-2017#.WPaxlGe1vIW)

Maps available for download:

Section 1 (Start to Old Towne Park)
Section 2 (Old Towne Park to M35/CR492)
Section 3 (M35/CR492 to Schwemwood Park)
Section 4 (Schwemwood Park to Finish)

Tandem Bikes & Bike Trailers

At the request of our participants, both tandem bikes and bike trailers are permitted. To ensure a safe start, tandem riders and riders with bike trailers are asked to position themselves toward the back of the mass start. Each tandem rider will need to register as an individual cyclist.

Water

Water will be present at the Start, Relay/Aid Stations, Finish and at least two additional water stations along the course. There will be water at least every two miles but runners are advised to carry additional water, if needed.

Safety/Emergency

Helmets for bicyclists are required. The Iron Range Roll committee has developed a robust emergency response and safety plan. Marquette Township, Search & Rescue, and the Marquette County Sheriff's department will be stationed along the trail. Volunteers and emergency preparedness leads will be present at each Aid Station/Relay Station. In the event of an emergency, racers should dial 911. Should a racer choose to remove themselves from the race, please notify Eric Walters at 715-600-2891.

The course will remain secured until 5:00 p.m. At that time, the event is officially concluded and there will be no traffic protection and aid stations will cease operation.

Awards & After Party

The top racer in each age category and gender will be awarded for the individual events (cycling and running). The top three teams in the relay will be awarded. Age categories for individual events are as follows:

12 and under
13 to 19
20 to 29
30 to 39
40 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 69
70 to 79
80 and above

Racers, friends, family, sponsors and fans are invited to the Ore Dock Brewing Company from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the official Iron Range Roll after party and awards ceremony. A local restaurant will serve up complimentary post-race fuel and Ore Dock Brewing Company staff will be on-hand to hydrate with refreshing craft brews and craft sodas, juice, lemonade and water for the youth racers.

Staying the Night?

Visit the Marquette County Convention & Visitors website for a list of lodging options near the race start or finish in Ishpeming or Marquette or contact them directly at 1-800-544-4321 or (906) 228-7749.-

Make It A Weekend

Visit the Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau Events Calendar for a full listing of area activities and attractions.

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in lending a hand? Volunteers are needed in Ishpeming, Negaunee and Marquette at road crossings, water stations, setup, tear down and registration. To ensure the race goes off without a hitch, race day volunteers are required to attend a 30 minute volunteer training on Friday, June 2, at the Marquette Commons. To sign up, visit our online volunteer registration or email [email protected].

Media Contact

Interested in getting a media pass for the event? Want to write a story on "The Roll"? Contact Justin Carlson with the Iron Range Roll Communications Committee at [email protected].

Race Information

For more information or to become involved in planning or sponsoring the Iron Range Roll, contact race chair Eric Walters at [email protected].

Iron Range Roll