2025 NorthShore Events Important Information!

Event Timeline & Start Times
    * Friday, September 12, 2025:

• 12:00 - 9:00 pm.   Skate & Health Expo + Race Bib Packet Pickup

• 12:00 - 8:00 pm    Race Registration for NSIM events (NO Race Day Registration)

• 12:00 - 3:30 pm     Kids Sprints Registration at Northern Lights Foundation Booth

• 3:00 - 5:00 pm       FinnSisu / Marwe Rollerski Demonstration

• 3:00 - 5:00 pm       IDT Rollerski Agility Course Demonstration

• 3:00 - 7:00 pm       Rollerblade Aggressive Skate Park

• 3:00 pm                   Meet Duluth Husky Baseball Mascot “Harley”

• 3:00 pm                   Meet the UMD Dance Line, along with the UMD Mascot “Champ”

• 3:50 pm                   National Anthem for Kids Sprint Race — Dave Zbaracki 

• 4:00 pm                   START - Kids Inline SKATE Sprints  

• 5:00 pm                   START - Kids RUN Sprints 

• 6:00 pm                   Kids Sprint Recognition Ceremony: Certificates, T-shirts, & Goodie Bags

• 6:00 pm                   Bladies to lead Friday Night Inline Skate Tour

• 6:00 pm                   Tortoise & Hare to lead Friday Night Shake Out Run

• 6:00 pm                   FinnSisu to lead Friday Night Rollerski Tour

• Saturday, September 13, 2025: (RACE Start Times)

• 6:35 am     Half Marathon National Anthems

• 6:45 am     Half Marathon Inline/Skate Race and Combined Leg 1 Start

• 6:50 am     Half Marathon Rollerski Race Start

• 7:00 am     St. Luke’s Half Marathon Running Race Start

• 7:45 am     Tunnel 10K Skate Race Start

• 8:00 am     Tunnel 10K Running Race Start

• 8:30 am    Marathon National Anthems

• 8:35 am     Full Marathon Rollerski Race Start

• 8:40 am     NSIM Elite Men “Call Ups”

• 8:45 am     NSIM Elite Men Start

• 8:45:30 am - NSIM Elite Women “Call Ups”

• 8:50 am     NSIM Elite Women Start

• 9:00 am     NSIM Advanced Wave 1/Combined Leg 2 Start

• 9:02 am     NSIM Advanced Wave 2 Start

• 9:04 am     NSIM Rec Wave 1A Start

• 9:06 am     NSIM Rec Wave 1B Start

• 9:08 am     NSIM Rec Wave 2 Start

• 9:10 am     NSIM Rec Wave 3 Start​

* Awards and After Race Party

• 10:30 am - Replica Check Podium Ceremony for Top 3 Men and Women overall from the FinnSisu Rollerski Marathon and The Aspirus St. Luke’s Half Marathon Run

• 11:00 am-2:00 pm - ala carte Medal Pick Up and photo opportunities for remaining running and rollerskiing awards 

• 3:30 pm - Inline Marathon and Combined Skate Awards Ceremony

• 11:oo am - 11:00 pm NSIM Oktoberfest After Party Gates Open @ Bayfront

​

• General Road Closure Times

• Roads Closed 6:00 am to 2:00 pm

• Road open times are on a rolling schedule based upon the last participant and our municipal partners staffing.

• Harbor Drive around the DECC will not open until race infrastructure has been picked up, which may be as late as 4:00 pm.

 Transportation to Start Line:
* 5:15 - 5:45 am  Half Marathon Buses load by the DECC parking garage on Railroad Street 
* 6:30 - 7:00 am Full Marathon Buses load by the DECC parking garage on Railroad Street
* 7:00 - 7:45 am All Recreation Waves load by the DECC parking garage on Railroad Street
* Please board promptly to ensure that everyone arrives at the start lines on time.
* Please note that you may NOT wear skates onto the start line buses. 
​
Participants coming from Two Harbors, it is permissible to be dropped off at the Two Harbors Sonju Car Dealership; then walk or skate to the start line.
​
The Tunnel 10k STARTS (Skate & Run) is in WALKING distance from the DECC
* The races start on 1-35 at the base of the 5th Ave exit ramp going north.  
* The race travels north on the northbound lanes to 26th Avenue East, where there is a water station, and makes a U-turn;  then travels down the southbound lanes.  At that point, the race follows the same course as the half/marathon races and will finish near the Irvin Ship.

Gear Bag
Gear Bag Trucks will be at the starting line for the half and full marathons; you can bring items to the start (sweatshirt/jacket, shoes, warm-up gear, food, etc). Gear bags will be delivered to the finish line area by the time you are finished with your race.
Please note that you may NOT wear skates onto the start line buses. 
​
Gear Bag Truck Timeline

• Half Marathon Skate and Half Marathon Rollerski Gear Bag Truck will be in front of the start line and will depart at 6:30 AM.

• Half Marathon Run Gear Bag Truck will be behind the start line (near the bus drop-off area) and will depart at 6:45 AM.

• Elite Skate and Full Rollerski Marathon Gear Bag Truck will be in front of the start line and will depart at 8:25 AM.

• Marathon (Advanced and Rec waves) Gear Bag Truck will depart at 9:00 AM.

• Tunnel 10k Skate and Run participants will have the option to leave gear in a drop bag inside North Pioneer Hall (DECC) before the race and may be picked up once you finish.

​
The NSIM is not liable for lost or damaged items in your gear bag.
Please do not include anything valuable or fragile in your gear bag.

Packet Pickup
Your NSIM Race Packet contains a unique race bib with a disposable timing chip (and a second noncustom race bib if you are a skater or a roller skier), a race shirt, pins, an athlete guide, and sponsor goodies. Please make every effort to pick up your own packet on Friday.
Time:
Friday, September 12, 2025 | 12:00 – 9:00 pm
Location:
Pioneer Hall at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) | Duluth, MN

Race Timing 
Race Timing
Your race packet will contain an envelope with a Race Bib with a disposable MyLaps Chip, provided by Endurance Promotions, timing company for the NorthShore events, from of Maple Grove, MN. 
 Race Bibs
If you would like your name printed on your bib you must be registered by August 20th.
Do not fold, wrinkle, or alter these numbers. The custom bib with chips should be pinned to your chest or abdomen area, and if you are a skater or rollerskier the second black and white bib should be pinned to your right hip.

Lodging & Transportation Information
NorthShore Lodging ​
The NorthShore Inline Marathon loves having out-of-town visitors for our event. Because of that, we have made partnerships with local hotels and motels in the area to get you the best deals and a place to stay. Click lodging to learn more.​​
​Flying to Duluth or Minneapolis
The Duluth International Airport offers great flight packages for anyone coming from across the country. This is our recommended route for anyone who plans to fly to our event. We then recommend renting a car, taking an Uber/taxi, or calling your hotel shuttle to pick you up. In case your location doesn't connect to the Duluth International Airport, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport (MSP) is another great option. Located two hours south of Duluth MSP offers a wide variety of flights and is one of the largest airports in the Midwest. For more information on MSP check out their website here: MSP International Airport
Transportation from MSP/Minneapolis to Duluth
The NSIM is the largest inline marathon in North America – the event draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. Many participants come from out of state. There are shuttle services from the MSP airport to Duluth and back that can be found online.  Advanced reservations may be necessary.

Safety Protocols
Helmets are mandatory at all times while on the racecourse for skating and rollerski races. Wrist, knee, and elbow protection are also recommended.
Poles are allowed for the rollerski events.
Poles are not allowed for scoring or awards in the inline skating events.
Rollerskiers are asked to stay to the right of the roadway.
All slower athletes please stay towards the right, all faster athletes please pass on the left and announce yourself as you pass. The entire course for all NorthShore Races is completely closed to outside traffic. All event participants must be at 26th Avenue East (entrance to the freeway) by 1:30 pm to be able to complete the event. This is Mile 23. The course MUST be opened to traffic at 2:00 pm.
Please be mindful of road conditions. We strive to maintain the best road conditions possible, thanks to local entities like the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the City of Duluth, Saint Louis County, and Lake County. However, there is always the possibility of cracks, “tar snakes”, bumps, sand and rocks, water bottles, garbage, and other obstructions.
First aid will be available on the course and at the finish line.
** There are vans and motorcycles on the course with medical personnel.
** All medical expenses incurred by participants are the responsibility of the participant.
 

Future NorthShore Dates

​

30th annual - Saturday, September 19, 2026

31st annual - Saturday, September 18, 2027

32nd annual - Saturday, September 16, 2028

33rd annual - Saturday, September 15, 2029

34th annual - Saturday, September 14, 2030

35th annual - Saturday, September 13, 2031

36th annual - Saturday, September 18, 2032

37th annual - Saturday, September 17, 2033