Event Description

The Iron Range Roll is a 16-mile point to point fun (but timed) bicycle race from Ishpeming to Marquette along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail (IOHT). This 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 Youth Programs. 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.

Connect Marquette (formerly 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 of Marquette County 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. Riders 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.

Race Route & Relay Logistics

The race starts at the Cliffs Shaft Museum and ends at the Marquette Commons, Following the Iron Ore Heritage Trail. 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 may be present at intersections with stop signs to help warn you of the intersections, but they are not required to warn you.  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.

Water and aid stations will be present at Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum (Ishpeming), Old Towne Park (Negaunee), the intersection of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and M-35 (Negaunee), Schwemwood Park (Marquette Township), and Marquette Commons (Marquette). Racers are encouraged to bring their own water if they feel they need it more frequently.

The course will remain secured until 3:30 p.m. At that time, the event is officially concluded and there will be no traffic protection and aid stations will cease operation.

Section maps are available at www.IronRangeRoll.com. 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-2-2018#.Wq8B_0xFxPa). Non-Garmin users can download the course data here.

Bike Trailers: At the request of our participants, bike trailers are permitted. To ensure a safe start, riders with bike trailers are asked to position themselves toward the back of the mass start. 

Tandem Bikers: Tandem riders will register as a team.

Are you ready to roll? 

Safety/Emergency

Helmets 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, Michigan State Police, and Marquette Police 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 and provide your name and bib number.

The course will remain secured until 3:30 p.m. At that time, the event is officially concluded and there will be no traffic protection and aid stations will cease operation.

Race Bag Pick-Up

REGISTRATIONS WILL END AT 8:00 PM ON MAY 31ST.  RACE DAY REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE OFFERED!  We will have a very limited number of extra bibs and registration forms for day-before registrants. Once we run out, registration will be closed. We encourage you to take advantage of pre-registration to ensure a spot for yourself in the race, and save money!

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, May 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. No refunds.

T-shirts are included for all registrants that register BEFORE May 24th. After that date, shirts will be on a first come, first serve basis for registrants.  Any remaining shirts will be available for purchase by non-registrants on race day.

Awards & After Party

The top racer in each age category and gender will be awarded. Age categories for individual events are as follows:

Racers, friends, family, sponsors, and fans are invited to the Ore Dock Brewing Company from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the official Iron Range Roll after party and awards ceremony. We 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.

More Information // Volunteer & Sponsor

For complete race rules and information, visit http://www.ironrangeroll.com. Like our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ironrangeroll for the most up-to-date race information!

Interested in volunteering, sponsoring or joining 40 Below in planning the Iron Range Roll? Email info@connectmarquette.org or check out our website for Iron Range Roll meeting dates.