30th NorthShore Inline Marathon Comes To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — This year marks 30 years of the NorthShore Inline Marathon, and skaters, skiers, and runners are making their trek to Duluth for one of the largest marathons in the world.

“Tomorrow is the big race day, and we’ve got around 2,500 racers coming in from around the world. We’ve got 15 countries represented, and 48 states,” said Joe Haggenmiler, director of operations for the marathon.

Of the thousands of participants, everyone stepping up to the starting line for the first time is in for an incredible experience.

“Well, I still remember doing my first one,” said Board Member, and 23-year NorthShore Inline Marathon veteran, Pat Melby.

“I’d never done one before, and when I got done with it, I’m just like ‘That was amazing!’ I ran marathons and done a lot of different things, I’m a competitive skier, I skied the Birkie every year, and I just couldn’t believe how much fun it was.”

Despite the race hosting some of the very fastest talent in the world, the event’s heartbeat is still the regular folks just looking to go out for a skate.

“They are really what this race is actually about. We consider ourselves to be a popular marathon, meaning that we are a race that caters to the skater that maybe skates once a week or five times a summer and wants to challenge themselves to do 10k a half marathon, or even come out and do their first marathon.” said Haggenmiller.

“(The) skating community is very tight across the whole entire United States, because we’re not as large as the running community or the biking community, but once somebody’s done this race, one time, they will be back,” said Melby.

“It’s that fun of a race.”

The race begins the morning of Sep. 13, followed by an afterparty at Duluth OktoberFest to celebrate the athletes.