NorthShore Inline Half Marathon

NorthShore Inline Half Marathon 2026The NorthShore Inline Half Marathon takes place in Duluth, Minnesota, on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The 13.1-mile point-to-point race follows the second half of the NorthShore Inline Marathon course and is designed to give skaters a complete race experience over a more approachable distance. The event is part of the World Inline Cup series and welcomes participants ranging from first-time half-marathon skaters to experienced racers.The course begins near the full marathon’s halfway point and travels toward downtown Duluth along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Skaters pass through the Lakeside area, enter a closed section of Interstate 35, roll through the highway tunnels, and finish in Canal Park near the historic William A. Irvin freighter. The route combines lake views, gentle downhill sections, flatter pacing areas, and the unusual experience of racing on roadway that is closed for the event.Race-weekend schedulePacket pickup is scheduled for Friday, September 18 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Pioneer Hall in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Participants should collect their race materials during the official pickup window and review the final event guide, transportation instructions, wave assignment, and equipment requirements before race morning.On Saturday, buses for half-marathon participants are scheduled to load between 5:15 AM and 5:45 AM. The half-marathon national anthem is listed for 6:35 AM, followed by the inline skate and Combined 39.3 first-leg start at 6:45 AM. These times are early and transportation-dependent, so racers should arrive with enough time to park, organize equipment, board the correct bus, and reach the starting area without delay.Who the race is forThe organizer describes the half marathon as open to all skill levels and as a good introduction to the NorthShore race weekend. Even so, entrants should be able to skate 13.1 miles safely, control speed on descents, maintain awareness in a race group, and complete the distance within the organizer’s course and traffic-control requirements. Participants should train for sustained road skating rather than treating the event as a casual group roll.Preparation and equipmentUse properly maintained inline skates and inspect wheels, bearings, frames, axles, and closures before traveling. Bring the protective equipment required by the organizer, clothing suitable for cool Lake Superior weather, hydration and nutrition appropriate for the distance, and dry layers for before and after the race. Review the official wave-selection guidance so that your starting group matches your expected pace and experience.Before attending: complete registration through the official event website and check the current event guide for packet pickup, bus transportation, parking, start procedures, equipment rules, course changes, weather notices, and cancellation information. Race-weekend instructions can change, and the organizer’s website is the auth