HOUGHTON — Swimmers, runners and cyclists will take to the Houghton waterfront Aug. 6 to honor a Copper Country native known as the “First Lady of Lake Superior.”

The Verna Mize Triathlon will start 8 a.m. Aug. 6 at the east end of the Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. 

Organizer Mary Kaminski started the triathlon last year, both as a response to summer events getting canceled, and the city’s decision to move a monument to Verna Mize from M-26 to the waterfront. 

It just made sense to create something to get people out and certainly enjoy our beautiful area, and Verna having saved the area, doing everything in and along the water,” she said. “It all came together magically.”

The distances, nebulous last year, are more specific. The “Main Mize,” which consists of a half-mile swim, an 8-mile bike and a 4-mile run. The “Mini Mize” is exactly half; the run was reduced from three miles last year to two to make it more accessible for runners. 

People can compete individually or as teams. All ages are welcome to compete.

Entry fees are $5, or $20 with a T-shirt. 

People must preregister by phone, text or email before 5 p.m. Aug. 4. Volunteers are also needed, Kaminski said. 

Anyone who would like to register, volunteer or has questions can call or text (906) 482-2422.

A completed entry form is due by race day. Forms are available at cityofhoughton.com. Tickets and forms can also be found by searching for the Verna Mize Triathlon at eventbrite.com.

“It’s coming along well, but we certainly would like people to sign up,” Kaminski said. “These are all very doable distances, and it’s all along the water to celebrate the work that Verna did.”

Mize, born in Houghton, later moved to Maryland. In 1967, while on vacation, she noticed Lake Superior was becoming cloudier. She found the Reserve Mining Company of Silver Bay, Minnesota, was dumping taconite tailings, a form of iron ore waste, into the lake. 

Mize kickstarted a 13-year effort involving other citizens and government agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that was eventually successful in getting the company to stop.

As with last year, Mize’s cousin will be back to help give out awards.

“I felt like I was in the presence of royalty,” Kaminski said.