Nicholas Wilson, of Mohawk, wins the half-marathon of the 2019 Canal Run in Hancock, Mich. (Daver Karnosky/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — The registration numbers speak for themselves. Reality trumps virtual reality at least in the world of local running.

Just ask Angela Luskin, race director for the 46th annual Canal Run set to take place on Saturday in Hancock. After having to do a virtual run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said people are eager to be back together.

“My whole team is excited to be back and participating in person,” said Luskin, health and fitness manager at UP-Health Portage. “The Canal Run has become a signature event in the Keweenaw. People are wanting to get out.”

She added that this year’s registration for the various runs will far surpass the 250 virtual runners in 2020 as well as the 688 runners who ran in 2019.

“We already have 650 runners signed up and registration will continue into Saturday,” she said. “We are doing a virtual run again this year but we only have two people registered. That tells me people are ready to participate in real time.”

Begun in 1975 by avid runner and then radio-station owner Bob Olson, the Canal Run features a number of races of different lengths and styles along the Portage Lake Canal. These include a half marathon, a 10-mile walk or run, a five-mile walk or run as well as a two-mile fun walk or run. There is also a half-marathon wheelchair event and a five-mile blade run for amputees.

Luskin added that there are a few added safety precautions this year. These include having no more than100 runners at a time starting a race. There will be no kid dash as in years past, and participants are asked to wear masks on the shuttle bus to and from the starting area.

“We will give out individual awards but there will be no awards ceremony,” she added. “We are excited to be back and want to keep everyone safe.”

Since 2011, the organizing committee of the Canal Run has been donating money to an area non-profit organization as part of its Canal Run Gives Back program. This year proceeds will go to Houghton’s Omega House which cares for the terminally ill and the provides end-of-life care to those in need.

“The planning has been going smoothly, and the support has been tremendous,” Luskin added. “We’re ready to run.”