ELY- The Ely Marathon is celebrating its 10th year, and the unique series of races has been growing in popularity.
This year is no exception.
It’s the only marathon in the world where you are allowed to run while portaging a canoe the entire length of the race, either solo or with a team. While most runners do not opt for portaging a canoe, running alongside those with canoes on their shoulders is one of the more unique parts of the race experience in Ely.
The marathon course is fall scenery at its best, but the route itself is challenging. The marathon has almost 1,200 feet of elevation gain on the route, and the course has been certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Race organizer Wendy Lindsay is expecting between 800 and 1,000 runners.
Ely Marathon events kick off on Friday, Sept. 19 at Whiteside Park, with the actual races starting on Saturday. In addition to the canoe portage races, most runners will participate in the full and half marathons the traditional way, sans canoe. In conjunction with the marathon and half marathon, there is a 5K Glow Run on Friday at 7 p.m. In person registration for the marathon and half marathon will be available at Whiteside Park on Friday, Sept. 19.
5K Glow Run
Friday events feature the 5K Glow Run, sponsored by the Northern Lights Clubhouse, which starts at Whiteside Park at 7 p.m. There will also be inflatables for children’s fun (from 3 – 9 p.m.), food trucks, and a beer and root beer tent.
Registration for the 5K is at Whiteside Park this year and is available on Friday. This is a family-friendly event and suitable for all ages. Register online at https://www.elymarathon.com/5k, or in person on Friday at Whiteside Park. This event is open to walkers, strollers and wagons, wheelchairs, as well as racers.
Saturday
Runners will be off early on Saturday morning, but there will be plenty to do for spectators as well. There will be a series of road closures on the Echo Trail and in Ely city limits during the race, but detour routes will be well marked. Live music with Iron Range Funk Machine is set from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. From 8 a.m.-3 p.m., stop by the race expo with lots of great Ely Marathon merchandise, food and drinks at the food trucks, beer tent, and root beer tent, plus there is bouncy, inflatable fun for the youngsters.
Kids who have completed 25 miles of running prior to the race finish up their “marathon” by running the last 1.2 miles of the official marathon course. The kids’ marathon, the Dorothy Molter Root Beer Run, starts at 8:45 a.m. and ends in Whiteside Park.
For all the details, including the timing of road closures along the route, see the Ely Marathon ad on page 12. Detours will be marked for vehicle traffic. Due to the ongoing construction on Chapman St., the detour for Hwy. 169 is a little different this year.
Both races start up the Echo Trail, which is closed to traffic during the race. Best observation points for the race are:
 Intersection of Echo Trail and Grant McMahan Blvd:  Cars will have to take 169 west out of Ely and take a right onto Grant McMahan Blvd, since no traffic will be allowed on race course.
 Winton Main Street: Traffic will be allowed on 169 east of Ely.
 Miners Drive: Parking available at VCC and side streets.
 Whiteside Park/Finish Line:  Parking available at Ely Memorial High School and side streets. The first half marathon racers are expected around 9:20 a.m., with full marathon racers arriving beginning around 10:15 a.m.
The awards ceremony will be at 2 p.m. at Whiteside Park. More information is available at elymarathon.com and on the Ely Marathon Facebook page.
Road closures
Saturday road closures are as follows:
Echo Trail/North Arm Rd to Grant McMahan,  7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Grant McMahan/Echo Trail to Hwy. 169, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Old Winton Road/Grant McMahan to W 6th Ave., 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cedar Lake Road/Cloquet Line to Beel Rd., 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pioneer Road/Grant McMahan to Miners Dr., 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Miners Drive/Pioneer to 17th Ave., 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
17th Ave./Miners Drive to Camp St., 9 a.m.–2 p.m
Camp Street/17th to 15th,                                  9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sheridan St. from 15th to 1st Ave., 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.
1st Ave from Sheridan Street to Harvey St., 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Chapman St. from 1st Ave to 7th Ave., 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Harvey St. from 1st Ave. to 17th Ave., 8:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.