Sponsors of the Run Iron Mountain Road and Trail Half Marathon gather as final plans are made for the event Saturday in Iron Mountain. From left, bottom row are, Joe Smith, CCI Systems; Dr. Jason Hall, Hall Orthodontics; Jennifer Hallen, Santini Dental; middle row, Heather Plemel, Danielson Insurance; Dayna Nault, MJ Electric; Ashley Smith, Bacco; Katie Roell, BOSS; Serena Johnson, Trident Maritime Systems; Vicki Bowers, System Controls; Michele Campbell, Bay de Noc College; back row, Heidi Strutz, board member; Jake Hogberg, First National Bank; Dale Cook, First National Bank; Staci Mande, Mande Insurance & Investment Solutions; Dave Kasten of the Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area; Erika Hoistman, Krist Oil; Mike Halle, UP Sport and Spoke; Lisa Villringer, First National Bank; Joe Rizzo, Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson; Art Spera, The Drug Store. (Submitted photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Run Iron Mountain Road and Trail Half Marathon will take place Saturday, an event in its 10th year that invites participants who want to run, walk or do some of each.

This year brings the addition of a 10K and a 2-mile Mini-Moochathon to their half marathon, half marathon relay, and 5K lineup.

The half marathon event is a part of the first ever Run the UP Challenge. Organizers of seven U.P. races partnered in an effort to expand race participation across the Upper Peninsula.

Those who compete in four of the seven races will receive a Run the U.P. Challenge medal, with the top three finishers for the males and females receiving awards during the Run Iron Mountain race Saturday.

The half marathon and 10K race begin at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K and 2-mile Mini-Moochathon at 9:15 a.m. Those interested in registering for an event can do so online at www.runironmountain.com or during packet pick-up at the Iron Mountain City Hall from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

“This is a fun event, and we encourage everyone, runners, volunteers, and spectators, to come on out and enjoy the morning with us. We will have cheerleaders from Iron Mountain and Kingsford joining us as well as members of the Kingsford High School Marching Band out on the course to liven up the final hill climb.

“After the race, stop by Sol Blu or visit the Curious Pig food truck, which was recently featured on ‘America’s Best Restaurants,'” board member Heidi Strutz said.

An endowment fund in the name of the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet has been created to ensure there will forever be a source of support for local residents in need. The loan closet offers medical equipment at no charge. It is supported by donations and is operated by volunteers. To date, the race has donated $133,500 to the loan closet.

Sponsors not shown in the photo include: Chris Hanley, State Farm Insurance; Moose Jackson; Pepsi; Pine Mountain Resort; Super One; Sol Blu; Walmart; Ride North;, Frito Lay; Kiwanis; Step Ahead; Tadych’s Family Market; UP Special Delivery; Downtown Network; Back In Motion Physical Therapy; Champion Inc.; Upper Michigan Energy Resources in partnership with WE Energies Foundation; Iron Mountain Animal Hospital; Fleury Singler Accounting; Northern Interstate Bank; Advanta Print; Radio Now; LiUNA Local 1329; Marriucci Family Foundation; and The John Fornetti Dental Center.