Summer Events
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June 7, 2025
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Munising, MI
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| The Rock River Canyon 50K is a magnificent route through high country and remote river valleys south of Munising. The course begins at the Valley Spur Lodge south of Munising and follows a rarely followed section of the North Country Trail to AuTrain and then on to the Rock River Canyon Wilderness. Runners then turn back for an eastward retrace back to Valley Spur. Single track comprises 26 miles of the route while dirt forest road makes up the remaining 5. Runners who want to immerse themselves in the wild backcountry of the Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Zen quality single track have now found their experience. With 4390 ft of elevation change over 31 miles runners will enjoy frequent but not overwhelming ascents and descents. I would describe it as highly runable and even a fast course for the experienced ultra runner. It's moderate, non-technical terrain make it an ideal step up for the marathoner wishing to try their first ultra. |
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June 21, 2025
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Paradise, MI
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| Located in the remote northeastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Two Hearted River captured the imagination of Nobel Laureate Ernest Hemingway who wrote "The Big Two Hearted River" about the adventures of Nick Adams who departed the train in Seney and headed northward to remote river country east of Muskallonge Lake. Runners in the 50K and Marathon will have the opportunity to travel via single track through this country on their journey past wilderness lakes, wild rivers on their way to the finish at the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. This course has the capacity to transform the way you see nature and the world. |
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July 12, 2025
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Emmet County, MI
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| The marathon starts near Cross Village and follows the North Country Trail past Wycamp Lake, ascending the Sturgeon Bay bluffs, then continues northward to Goose Pond in Wilderness State Park. The course then heads eastward past Cecil Bay and Trails End Bay and along the northern shore of French Farm Lake. Runners then continue on to the Mackinaw City. Runners can park near the finish and take a bus to the start. |
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July 26, 2025
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Munising, MI
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| The course follows the perimeter trail of the island counterclockwise up past Murray Bay and Duck Lake. At three miles the course heads eastward into the Tombolo, up into the island's thumb and then back along Trout Bay where runners can enjoy one of the most spectacular stretches of shoreline anywhere in the Great Lakes. Runners then ascend up the eastern cliffs of the island which treat runners to views of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The northern half of the island features 300ft colored Jacobsville sandstone cliffs and the remote and exquisitely beautiful North Beach. The return trail on the island's western shore features remarkable vistas of Lake Superior. Much of the trail is shaded by lush hardwood forests. Exposed sections (atop cliffs) blanket runners with cool breezes off of Lake Superior. Trail includes single track, two track, and narrow dirt roads. |
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August 9, 2025
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Paradise, MI
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| The course begins on the Tahqua Trail 4.3 miles west of Whitefish Bay in eastern Lake Superior. Runners follow a dirt forest road along the Tahquamenon River for one quarter mile until they reach the North Country Trail (NCT). The single track NCT winds through spruce swale, pine ridges, lush bogs, Jack Pine savannah, and past the Camp 10 and Water Tank lakes, where the occasional moose can be spotted. Runners reach Lower Tahquamenon Falls nine and a half miles into the race. The NCT then transitions into the heavily forested Lower Falls trails. One mile later the course merges with the River Trail which travels along the Tahquamenon River. The River Trail features old growth hemlock and yellow birch. Runners hear the roar of the Upper Falls encouraging a strong finish near the top of the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. |