The Mesabi Trail through the storied Iron Range, hosted by Essentia Health, the point-to-point half marathon starts at 7:00 AM, beginning at Mesabi Trail headquarters in Eveleth and finishing at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center (ITMEC) in Virginia, while the 5K opens Friday evening at 6:00 PM to jumpstart race weekend.
Runners traverse paved trail mixed with occasional dirt trail sections, winding through dense Northwoods and across the towering Thomas Rukavina Memorial Bridge—the tallest bridge in Minnesota—before descending into Virginia. Aid stations appear roughly every two miles, offering water and nutrition, with professional pacers provided by Marathon Pacing for half marathon participants.
What sets this race apart is its authentic “Range” identity: it’s a community-minded launch aligned with a local Brewfest and car show for a lively weekend atmosphere. Finishers receive shirts, medals, and age-group awards across inclusive age divisions, and the event is fully USATF-certified. One runner praised it as their “second favorite course in northern Minnesota… beautiful course with long gradual inclines and fast downhills,” calling it a strong complement to Grandma’s Marathon experience.
