SAULT STE. MARIE — The Sault International Festival of Races returns this weekend for the first time since 2019, with organizers expecting hundreds of runners for the two-day event.
The festival was put on hold after the pandemic and had not resumed until this year. Saturday’s races begin at 8 a.m. on the Lake Superior State University campus with a 5-mile run that crosses the International Bridge to Canadian customs before looping back to the university.
On Sunday, runners will compete in half-marathon and 5K races that start and finish in downtown Sault Ste. Marie but will not include the bridge.
In 2019, the event drew about 250 participants. More than 600 runners have already registered for this year’s races, which organizers say will be the largest in the city’s history.
“Not only are people here for the experience of Sault Ste. Marie and running over the International Bridge but they are here to come together as a community, as one, to celebrate their common goals,” said Tony Filipek, co-owner of Yooper Running Co. “It’s going to be the largest race in Sault history.”
Registration remains open online until 7:30 a.m. Saturday, just before the first race begins.