6th annual Marquette Trails Festival kicks off in Marquette

MARQUETTE — One of the biggest attractions to the UP is the extensive trail networks, and today, those trails were celebrated.

For the 6th year in a row, runners and cyclists alike gathered at the Noquemanon Trail Network for the Marquette Trails Festival; many of the visitors being from out of town.

“Marquette’s becoming a place that’s on the map for everybody,” said Nic Dobbs, race director. “It’s not just a sleepy little in the UP that no one’s ever heard of anymore. We are a spot where people come, we’re on their radar. This year registration is way up, and we still have 2 full days of registration ahead of us. The word is out, people are coming and enjoying our trails, and they’re spreading the love that we want to give up here.”

The festival runs all weekend, with activities for everyone to enjoy, including adult races, youth courses, and even a race up the ski hill at Marquette Mountain.

Proceeds from the festival go toward maintaining the Noquemanon Trail Network.

To find out how to sign up for races or to volunteer, visit their website at MarquetteTrailsFest.com