IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Iron Mountain’s Pine Mountain Stairs will host an exhilarating series of 3 races next Sunday, August 4, starting at 9 a.m., drawing runners of all ages and skill levels.
Derek Lindstrom, Event Coordinator for the Pine Mountain 500, described the main event: “The Pine Mountain 500 is one loop where you start at the top of the stairs, run down 2.5 miles to the bottom, and then run up 500 stairs to finish up top.”
For those seeking a more intense challenge, Lindstrom detailed additional race options: “We have what we call ‘the deuce,’ which is two loops—crazy in itself. This year, we’ve also introduced the Pine Mountain 500 Extreme, which includes four loops, totaling 10.8 miles and 2,000 steps.”
The event is designed to be family-friendly and affordable, especially for younger participants. “Kids 14 and under can run for $20, so it’s a great opportunity for families to come out together,” Lindstrom noted.
Lindstrom encouraged pre-registration to ensure participants get their preferred shirt sizes but mentioned that race-day registration would also be available from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. “The race starts at nine, so there’s plenty of time to sign up in the morning,” he added.
Excitement is high for the extreme race, which has a cap of 50 participants. “It’s tough,” Lindstrom admitted. “We were up here doing a stair workout on Sunday, and it’s a real challenge.”
With a strict time limit of three hours, the extreme race promises to be a test of endurance and stamina. “We need to be done by noon, so we’ll be keeping track of everyone, especially during those last two laps,” Lindstrom said.
Lindstrom highlighted the uniqueness of the event, comparing it to similar high-profile races: “This event truly is a gem of the Midwest, similar to what Red Bull did over at Copper Peak. It’s a lot of fun, and each of the three distances is a challenge in its own right.”
Those interested in entering one of the 3 challenges offered at the Pine Mountain stairs can visit:
