Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Richard Jenkins/Daily Globe Even though the coronavirus pandemic is preventing the traditional single-day race, the organizers of the Bridges and Bluffs half marathon have the starting line marked in Ironwood's Depot Park, seen here Thursday, for anyone who wants to run the course in this year's virtual event.
IRONWOOD - With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic preventing large in-person gatherings, two Gogebic Range organizations are hosting virtual versions of their annual races.
Both the organizers of the Bridges and Bluffs half marathon and Copper Peak Trails Fest are hoping the community comes out to support the virtual events this year as they are the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Friends of the Iron Belle Trail and Sisu Dirt Crew respectively.
Rather than completing the race on a single day, the virtual event offers competitors a chance to finish the course anytime through Oct. 18.
"Usually, we just had our one day event with our half-marathon, relay and our 2-mile (races); now you can do any of the races any time you want from now until Oct. 18," said Dustin Filippini, one of the Bridges and Bluffs organizers.
Although the organizers have marked the traditional course that starts at Depot Park in Ironwood, Filippini said competitors can complete their distances anywhere they choose.
Along with the three races, Filippini said organizers have also added a new zero-k Couch Potato event for those who just want to support the trails.
"So if there's somebody out there who doesn't feel like running this year for whatever reason but they still want to help out and support, they can still give $25 and they'll be able to get some of the benefits of the race," Filippini said.
He said that the money raised through the event goes to help the upkeep of the Iron Belle Trail, which with increased usage this year and an extension of the trail into Ramsay, is more important than ever.
All those who enter an event will be eligible for various door prize raffles.
Although this year's events don't have to be timed, Filippini recommended people use an app if they want to add their time to the online leader board on the registration website.
Much like the Bridges and Bluffs races, this year's Copper Peak Trails Fest is also running through Oct. 18.
Competitors can choose between a two-lap bike race that is roughly 10 miles long or a single-lap, five-mile trail run, according to dirt crew president Tom Bergman. Both races take place on the trails at Copper Peak.
A silver lining to both events being virtual and later in the season is the scenery surrounding competitors might be nicer this year.
"Because it's virtual and it's over a longer period of time, you can go and race during the peak fall colors," Bergman said, adding competitors can also take the opportunity to visit the Copper Peak Adventure Ride if they want.
The trails fest also has various raffles for those who sign up for the race.
The money for trails fest goes to help the dirt crew with its mission.
"This goes towards all our trail maintenance and also promoting trails in the area," Bergman said, adding the proceeds from past events have helped build trails in the Miners Memorial Heritage Park and around Copper Peak.
Both events are also continuing their collaboration with the Gogebic Range Health Foundation.
"One of the priorities of the foundation is to create a more active community, so (the events) fall into one of our core priorities," said foundation director Andrea Newby.
For more information on the respective races, or to register, visit bridgesandbluffs.com or sisudirtcrew.com.
