First Avenue Mile returns July 13

HIBBING—An old event will be born again.

The First Avenue Mile, which has been in a 25-year hiatus, will be relaunched on Saturday, July 13, beginning at 9 a.m., with day-of-race registration beginning at 8 a.m..

The race will start on First and 31st St., and will end at First and Howard St.

There will be three divisions, a competitive division, for runners at eight minutes and lower at 9 a.m.; a recreational division for runners at eight minutes to 12 minutes at 9:20 a.m.; and a fun division for runners of all speeds, beginning at 9:40 a.m.

Race organizer Heather Matvey, who is the Recreation Programmer at Hibbing Parks and Recreation, decided it was time to bring the race back.

“It was one of those things where people had a lot of memories with,” Matvey said. “It was a nostalgic, famous Hibbing thing. Part of reviving the community and reviving the Parks and Rec program, is bringing back some of those things that people already have a connection with.

“We’re trying some new things, but we really wanted to honor the rich history that Hibbing has, a nod to some of those things that people love in the community.”

Hibbing High School boys and girls cross country coach and Bluejacket boys track coach James Plese has been helping with the event.

“It’s been decades of being gone,” Plese said. “It was a famous mile race and to breathe new life into it and bring it back, it’s going to be slightly different. Finishing on First and Howard instead of Mesabi Tribune parking lot.

“That draws a little more into the Jubilee Parade. The town will look nice and all dolled up nice. What a better way to finish our mile run.”

Plese has been involved in other races in the city like the Red Ore Run and the Kids Care 5K.

“When those fell apart after COVID, I made sure to tie up the right people to secure the date,” Plese said. “I hit hurdles and restrictions on getting this going. Having Heather and her role with the city has been huge with the things she’s been able to do.

“That’s a boon to the community. She’s a great resource for us to have on staff and in the community. We owe a lot to her being in that role. Trying to get this race off of the ground, it wouldn’t have happened if Heather wasn’t in that role. She’s been a huge asset for that.”

The impetus for bringing the mile back was obvious.

“We want these community events back, Hoops on Howard, First Avenue Mile, softball, all of these things that went away it’s like, ‘Let’s bring some life back into it,’” Plese said. “That’s the credit I have to give to Heather.

“Hibbing on Howard on Mondays is a fantastic event for the community and kids. I know running a mile isn’t for everyone, but at the same time, anyone can get out and do it. We don’t care what your ability level is. It’s a perfect weekend to celebrate Hibbing. These are the events that bring us all together.”

Matvey, who isn’t originally from Hibbing, is committed to investing in this community.

“I want to make this community great,” Matvey said. “We’re going to be a part of the solution. We’re going to do everything we can to host these events and start programs and do these things that make us feel like a community.

“We want to change the way that people speak about Hibbing.”

The response, thus far, has been good, especially from the runners.

“It’s been positive,” Matvey said. “More of the people that connect with it are from the older generation that were around when it was first here. Being one mile rather than a 5K, is accessible for people.

“It’s not overwhelming like a 5K.”

Plese has heard positive comments as well.

“I’ve heard people joking like, ‘I’ll have to dust off the running shoes. I ran this back when I was growing up,’” Plese said. “There’s people that have that connection to it. The people in the community want to support this. They want these kinds of events back. If we can help start that…”

According to Plese, they’re keeping it simple this year.

“This is a soft rollout,” he said. “In the heyday, there were qualifying races. There’s divisions. This is a soft rebranding, a soft reopening, then as it grows, we’ll delve into multiple divisions and age brackets. The first step is let’s get this off and running.”

Pre-race registration through Friday, July 12, is $20. It will be $25 the day of the race. Register at https://hibbing.finnlyconnect.com/registration/activitylist.

All participants will receive a t-shirt, a keychain, a gelato coupon and a full-size donut at the finish line.

Race winners will receive all of those items, plus a event street sign, and free bowl of gelato.