The course runs point-to-point, starting at Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum in Ishpeming, follows the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and ends at the Superior Dome in Marquette.
[4] The race is one of the fastest Boston Marathon qualifiers in the USA, with a descent of almost 800 feet (240 m) in the first 5 miles (8.0 km).
[5] The section along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail is on a gravel-covered path through the forest, but the later part of the course features views of Lake Superior.
[8][9][10] However this positive impact is contested by some local business owners who claim road closures reduce sales by 10% the day of the race.
[25][26][27] The race expo is held on Friday of Labor Day weekend at the Superior Dome.