Marji Gesick

Marji Gesick takes place in Ishpeming, Michigan, on September 18–19, 2026, and mixes trail running and mountain biking. On the running side, a 100-mile starts Friday, September 18 at 8:00 a.m. and a 50-mile starts Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 a.m. On the bike side, a 100-mile starts Saturday at 7:30 a.m., a 50-mile at 8:00 a.m., and a shorter Mini-Marji at 10:00 a.m. Ishpeming sits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where trails are known for rocks and roots.

The 100-mile run is a serious mountain-trail ultra and should not be your first long race; the 50-mile run is a more accessible entry, though still technical enough to reward runners who train on rocky singletrack. If you are a rider, the Mini-Marji is the way to sample the terrain without committing to a full day. Whichever event you choose, plan a 16- to 20-week build with strength work for your legs and ankles, long sessions on technical ground, and repeated practice with your fueling plan.