Mother Nature cooperated and both runners and spectators were out in droves for the Ely Marathon and its associated events.
Well over 300 people completed either the full or half-marathon races completed Saturday as part of the Ely Marathon and Highland Bank Half Marathon, and overall participation was up from 2024.
That was fueled by record turnout for the Friday night Northern Lights Glow Run, which had 418 participants.
Overall, about 1,000 people took part in one of the various marathon events.
“Our registrations were much higher than last year,” said event organizer Wendy Lindsay. “But we only had an increase of nine actual finishers from last year, which was interesting.”
Once again, the Ely Marathon’s quirky and unique canoe portage division proved to be a highlight, with men’s and women’s individual world records falling this year.
Paul Shol, 39, of Fergus Falls, set a new record for the full marathon, by winning the canoe portage division in 3:58:54, breaking a record set last year by nearly 13 minutes.
Shol was one of seven participants to run all 26.2 miles while carrying a canoe.
In the half-marathon portage division, 11 people finished and Victoria Ranua set a new women’s record and was first overall in that division this year with a time of 2:26.52.
Ranua, 45, is from Shakopee.
David Borgerding, 44, of Northfield, won the men’s half-marathon portage title in 2:29.42.
The canoe portage division also included teams of people, who combined to run either the full or half-marathons carrying a canoe.
A team captained by Ely’s Jason Zabokortsky was first among four teams that took part in the full marathon, while the half-marathon relay crown went to a team led by Kendra Hubbell of Minneapolis.
The full marathon wrapped up Saturday morning at Whiteside Park, and winner Aidan Firchow shaved nearly 10 minutes off of last year’s winning time.
Firchow, 22, of Rosemount was first overall in 3:03:41, while 26-year-old Molly Gardner of Ely won the women’s division in 3:36:56.
The top-10 overall marathon finishers were:
1. Firchow;
2. Nathan Pelant, 26, Minneapolis, 3:03:45;
3. Dave Harig, 48, Minnetonka, 3:24:21;
4. Gardner;
5. Chad Jenderseck, 39, Pelican Rapids, 3:36:17;
6. Theodore Simonson, 41, Minneapolis, 3:42:02;
7. John Crosby, 37, Waconia, 3:42:17;
8. Charley Simonson, 44, Eagan, 3:43:12;
9. David Ehasz, 63, St. Paul, 3:48:47;
10. Colin Gettle, 39, Duluth, 3:48:58.
In all, 93 people completed the full marathon, which started on the Echo Trail and wound its way down into Ely with the finish line in the middle of the city park, where hundreds gathered to cheer the runners on and enjoy food, beverages and entertainment.
Another 239 people finished the half-marathon, with former Elyite Izaak Nosbisch, 27, who now lives in St. Paul, taking first in 1:24:27.
Next up was William Sackett, 36, of Deer River, in 1:27:04.
The women’s division crown went to Elysse Peterson, 27, of Nashwauk. She won in 1:27:33.
Festivities started the night before with the running of the Northern Lights Glow Run, a 5K event that benefits the Northern Lights Clubhouse.
Many participants dressed in glow-in-the-dark wear and the park and surrounding area were filled with cheering fans and volunteers.
A young runner stole the show that evening, with 12-year-old Galen Muretta of Hopkins finishing first in 19:01.
The runner-up was Michael Rotness, 26, of Hibbing, in 19:39, while Ely’s Jacob Vanderbeek, 12, was third in 20:43.
