ELY — Ely Marathon weekend was one for the record books, with new world records set in both the full and half portage marathons. As the only long-distance race in the world with a canoe portage category, any new time records become new world records.
Paul Shol, of Fergus Falls, bested the previous marathon portage record by over 12 minutes, with a time of 3:38:54. After a bit of confusion over prizes, Shol will collect the $5,000 purse for his world record and an outfitted Boundary Waters trip for his first place finish. Shol, who is regularly a top finisher in 50- and 100-mile trail running competitions, said the prize in those races is typically limited to bragging rights. “And I feel blessed and very excited to be able to use the Boundary Waters trip,” he said.
Second place finisher Chris Bruzda also beat the previous full portage record, with a time of 4:07:01, but went home without the top prize.
In the half portage division, Victoria Ranua, of Shakopee, took first place in the half portage marathon with a time of 2:26:27, beating all the male competitors on the day and setting a new women’s world record, topping the old mark of 2:53.27 by over 26 minutes. Ranua, who set the women’s record in the full portage marathon last year, now holds the women’s record in both race distances. Ranua’s half portage time was just over five minutes shy of beating the men’s world record, of 2:21.02, set in 2017.
Thirty-six-year-old Kirsten Collins also beat the previous female record in the half portage marathon, by three seconds, with a finishing time of 2:53.24.
Among the regular races, local favorite Molly Gardner took first place among women in the full marathon, with a time of 3:30.56, besting her time from last year’s race by just over seven minutes. Twenty-two-year-old Aidan Firchow finished first in the marathon with a time of 3:03.41. Neither race finish came close to record times.
Izaac Nosbisch, 27, who grew up in Ely but now lives in St. Paul, came in first in the half marathon male division. He said he had forgotten how hilly the course was but had a great race nonetheless. Twenty-seven-year-old Ellysse Peterson took first in the women’s race, with a time of 1:27.33, just over three minutes shy of the race record, set in 2019.
As usual, the race brought together more than 350 volunteers and many spectators who turned out along the course to cheer on the runners. Cloudy and mild temperatures in the low 60s, combined with intermittent showers, may have slowed some runners, especially along the Trezona Trail, where wet leaves littered the course in places.
Volunteers, mostly sporting rain gear, kept water, sports drinks, and occasional snacks available at the aid stations as runners traversed the course from the Echo Trail into Ely. The weather mostly cooperated at the finish at Whiteside Park, with a large crowd on hand to cheer on the finishers, and many other stopping by for the live music, drinks, food trucks, and inflatables for the children.
Race participation was up a little from last year, and about 80 people immediately signed up for the 2026 race, at a discounted rate, so will be back again next year.
While the vast majority of runners are not completing this demanding and hilly course while portaging a canoe, the canoe-toting runners have become the Ely Marathon’s claim to fame.
The event is also one of the few half marathons that allow four-legged participants. Dogs have been part of the half marathon for several years now, and about 20 were geared up for the race, sporting race day bandanas that noted that every dog participating was a first-place winner. There were water bowls at each aid station, and canine finishers also got a special treat at the finish line. The rain during the race also created some puddle-sipping opportunities for thirsty pups.
As usual, there were plenty of photographers at work during the race. Besides the official race photographers and local media (see hundreds of great photos on the Ely Marathon Facebook page, including video and drone footage), there was also a local film crew out on the course, documenting Dane Rauschenberg, a marathon runner and founder of the race sponsor Sherpa, who was running the half marathon portage. He had come hoping to set a world record but to settle for third place, with a time of 2:36:04. On Facebook, Rauschenberg said multiple novice errors, as well as mechanical failures, made the race more difficult. He said he is still considering whether to try again next year.
Race medals had not arrived in time for the race, even though they had been ordered last April. The medals, sustainably produced in Spain, were shipped in August, but according to race organizer Wendy Lindsay, are still in Louisiana waiting to go through customs, a delay caused by confusion over the new tariffs. Medals will be mailed out to all the finishers as soon as they arrive. Racers didn’t seem to mind, though some missed out on being able to wear their medals in the park and in Ely after the race.
Participants in this year’s races ranged from age 7 up to 78, including 78-year-old Bob Tapson, who finished the half marathon with a time of 2:43:56.
The community turnout and investment in the race is remarkable, noted Lindsay.
“There are many local groups who help out en masse,” she said. “Rotary, Kiwanis, Ely Track Club, Ely Cross Country Club, Ely Ski Team, Piragis, MN North Wilderness Club, robotics clubs from Babbitt and Mesabi East, MN North Vet Tech Club, Color Guard, Camp DuNord, Crapola, Dorothy Molter Museum, Northern Lights Clubhouse, MN North Law Enforcement Club, Save the Boundary Waters, Friends of the Boundary Waters.”
Lindsay said there are also several groups of people who just help out and want to spend the day together.
“Our Mile 24 aid station folks bring a crowd from the Twin Cities every year to be a part of it.”
Race sponsors this year included: Highland Bank, Sherpa, Twin Metals, Midco, Pebble Spa, Echo Shores Resort, Camp DuNord, city of Ely, Ely Tourism Bureau, Boundary Waters Connect, Crapola, Kara Polyner, Grand Ely Lodge, Spirit of the Wilderness, Piragis,Your Boat Club, International Wolf Center, Ely Winter Festival, Save the Boundary Waters, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Excel Images, Wintergreen Northernwear, and Mountrax.
Marathon winners
93 finishers
Top three finishers in each
division

Male
Aidan Firchow, 22, 3:03:41
Nathan Peland, 26, 3:03:45
Dave Harig, 48, 3:24:21

Female
Molly Gardner, 27, 3:30.56
Lindsey Holtz, 36, 3:53:08
Alyssa Forrest, 39, 3:56:19

Half Marathon winners
239 finishers
Male
Izaak Nosbisch, 27, 1:24:27
William Sackett, 36, 1:27:04
Hudson Kingston, 42, 1:29:04

Female
Ellysse Peterson, 27, 1:27:33
Ashley Diederich, 37, 1:41:23
Cassie Wirth, 37, 1:41:40

Marathon Portage

Male
Paul Shol, 39, 3:58:54
Chris Bruzda, 35, 4:07:01
Nick Gardner, 29, 4:42:23

Female
No participants

Half Marathon Portage

Male
David Borgerding, 44, 2:29:42
Dane Rauschenberg, 49,
2:36:04
Nathan Corbin, 46, 2:37:04

Female
Victoria Ranua, 45, 2:26:52
Kirsten Collins, 36, 2:53:24
Vanessa Grams, 37, 3:04:16

Full Marathon Relay
Jason Zabokrtsky/Ely Outfitting Company, 4:42:30
Portage North Team, 5:03:33
Lumber Jills, 5:18:45
Buckthorn Blasters, 6:04:28

Half Marathon Relay
DischHubingerEll Team, 2:28:18
Burmanequin, 2:55:52
Ad Astra Per Aspera, 3:27:50
Not So Fast Just Furious, 3:35:52

Dorothy Molter Kids Marathon
44 finishers
Participants have logged 25 miles of running prior to the race, and finish the last 1.2 miles on the official race course

Boys
Nolan Niskala, 10, 8:02
Fletcher Chopp, 11, 8:07
Torren Harding, 11, 8:20

Girls
Allie Vesel, 10, 9:09
Hadley Myers, 10, 9:52
Ayva Anderson, 10, 10:14