IRON MOUNTAIN – The Iron Mountain Road & Trail Half Marathon hosted by First National Bank & Trust made its fourth annual donation to the Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet.

This year, the event raised $12,500, bringing the four year total to $37,500.

The Loan Closet is a non-profit organization that has been assisting residents of Dickinson County, Aurora, Florence, Niagara, and Spread Eagle for over a decade.

They loan equipment to cancer and non-cancer clients at no cost. They also have a financial aid program which helps with certain expenses.

The Loan Closet is operated solely by volunteers and donated monies. It is located at 201 East Breitung Ave. in Kingsford and they can be contacted at 776-0966.

Nearly 400 participants were registered for the race this year and nearly 100 of those were children, age 14 and under. Seven different states were represented in the events and 62 percent of participants were from the local area.

“The $12,500 donation to the Loan Closet would not be possible without the generous sponsors who continue to support the event and cause year after year” said Lisa Villringer, IMRT president and co-race director. “We are so lucky to live in such a giving community and we really want to express our gratitude to all of our IMRT supporters.”

Platinum Sponsors include: First National Bank & Trust and the Mariucci Family Foundation.

Gold Sponsors include: Family Chiropractic Clinic, Hall Orthodontics, Dickinson County Healthcare System, Champion Inc., ERA Chevrolet, Floline Media, WJMN TV-3, CJ Graphics, CCI Systems, MJ Electric, The Drug Store, and Fleury, Singler, & Co.

Silver Sponsors include: Back in Motion Physical Therapy, Norway Eye Care, Sick Productions (Evan Blagec, DJ), Santini Family Dentistry, Holiday Inn Express/Comfort Suites, Results Broadcasting, and TADCA/UP North.

Aid Station Sponsors include: Bianco’s Fitness Center, Wender Builders, Grace Baptist Church, Tomczak Carpentry, U.P. Dance Academy, and CJ Graphics.

Additional supporters include: Mortl’s Sport Center, Sol Blu, City of Iron Mountain, Iron Mountain DPW, Iron Mountain Police Dept., Michigan State Police IM Post, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Dept., Norway Springs, Econo Foods, Fleury Singler & Co, Gundlach Champion Inc., Iron Mountain High School Dance Team, UP Dance Academy, Back in Motion Physical Therapy, Bloom Wholesale, Mike Ludlum, The Daily News, Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority, Kingsford High School Athletic Dept., and the Dickinson County Bike Path.

“Along with thanking our sponsors and supporters, the IMRT Committee would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nearly 100 volunteers who donate their time in so many different ways for the event, stated co-director Melissa Wentarmini. “Without the support of our community, these annual donations would not be possible.”

The fifth anniversary of the fund-raiser is already scheduled for next year on Saturday, Sept. 10.