Cyclists Roll into the Marquette Commons After Finishing 16-mile Iron Range Roll Race
The Iron Range Roll is a competitive and friendly bike race.
Marquette, MI – June 5th, 2021 – The 8th Annual Iron Range Roll, presented by Connect Marquette, kicked off today around 1:00pm with much enthusiasm. Traveling along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, this 16-mile race featured over two hundred bikers racing to the finish line. After last year’s fully remote Iron Range Roll, Connect Marquette offered the virtual opportunity again this year for participants while also implementing new COVID-19 safety restrictions like releasing cyclists in smaller waves.
The in-person event started at the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum near Lake Bancroft in Ishpeming. Emceeing the event was mediaBrew’s own Luke Ghiardi who read announcements and played music at the starting line. Traveling from Ishpeming, through Negaunee, and into Marquette, the race eventually came to a close in Downtown Marquette. Tyler Young met riders at the finish line with more music.
Geared up and ready to race!
Following the race, participants and volunteers gathered in the YMCA of Marquette County’s parking lot for an awards ceremony. Starting around 4:30pm, Iron Range Roll Committee Chair, Daniel Croney and Connect Marquette President Shannon Whitehouse hosted the ceremony. They started out by thanking everyone for helping make the event possible, before naming off the first, second, and third place winners for each age division. Racers received a hang cut and burned Iron Range Roll award with the top racers each receiving some swag from Velodrome Coffee as well.
Many thanks to the racers, volunteers, and sponsors of the event who helped make this great bike race possible this and every year. We at Fox Sports Marquette already can’t wait for next year’s event as well!
2021 Iron Range Roll Gallery
The starting line for the first wave!
First wave waiting at the starting line
Waiting to start the Iron Range Roll
Racers gather for the start of the race
Racers waiting to be called for their wave
The countdown to start is fast approaching!
Lined up for the Iron Range Roll
These friends are ready to race!
The starting line is looking intense!
And they’re off!
Put the pedal to the metal!
On their way to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Geared up and ready to race!
He’s ready to cruise!
Eager to start the race
Friends gathered at the starting line
Waiting at the starting line
One pedal for bikes, one leap for Yooper kind!
Heading toward downtown Ishpeming
See ya Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum! Hello Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Bikers at the very first leg of the long ride
The gangs all here and ready to race!
Lake Bancroft in the background as bikers go by
Starting the race near the edge of Lake Bancroft
Just a few more waves left!
Waiting for the sign to START!
Off they go!
Pre-race chatter with racers eager to start
A 16-mile journey begins
Racers were released in several waves
Riding up Spruce St in Ishpeming
Having a blast at the Iron Range Roll
Commemorative selfie before the race! Love it
Racers of all shapes and sizes
Someone’s got the easy seat!
On the Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Bikers approaching a check point at the race
Volunteers assisting with safe crossings
A water for the road?
Don’t forget to stay hydrated!
A small racer on the long 16-mile journey! Go get ’em, champ!
Riding together along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Still cruisin’ and staying hydrated!
Bikers enjoying the Iron Range Roll
Heading down the Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Bikers heading up the trail
Getting pumped for the rest of the race!
Say cheese!!
Travelling together for the Iron Range Roll
Honk Honk! Let’s make some noise at the finish line
Friends at the Iron Range Roll
Start the Cycle
After the finish line at the Iron Range Roll
Some of the racers from the Iron Range Roll
Come through Negaunee near Eagle Mine
Antonio and Kristina were the sweepers for today’s race.
Connect Marquette Volunteer Chair Daniel Korhonen and Iron Range Roll Chair Daniel Croney
Luke Ghiradi emceeing at the starting line.
Iron Range Roll participants were released in waves.
Wave eight on their way to the trail.
Starting the first wave of competitive bikers.
Thanks to everyone who came out this afternoon
Biking on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible.
The 8th Annual Iron Range Roll
Today’s race included over 200 cyclists.
Connect Marquette member Nick Steffey
Getting ready to get out onto the trail!
The first wave headed out to the trails
The Iron Range Roll is a competitive and friendly bike race.
Riders coming in at the finish line
Everyone had a great day on the trail!
The finish line was located at the Marquette Commons.
Thanks to all of our volunteers including these guys at the road crossing on Co Rd 492
mediaBrew’s Dawn Evans riding in the Iron Range Roll
Biking along Eagle Mine in Negaunee
We had participants of all ages!
The trail goes through some beautiful sections of forest.
Some of the Connect Marquette members at the awards ceremony
Connect Marquette presents the Iron Range Roll
Congrats to all of our winners!
The fastest race time for men.
She landed the quickest time for the female group.
One of our virtual participants received an award!
The awards are hand cut and burned.
We loved seeing so many people come out today.
There were over 100 awards
Congrats to the 8th Annual Iron Range Roll winners!
Team members from the YMCA of Marquette County spoke about where funds would be going