Four distances · One town
Courses
Marathon Course
Starts on Park Avenue, heads south past the Mushroom Houses and the South Pier Lighthouse, and hugs Lake Michigan for miles of postcard shoreline.
You'll pick up a stretch of crushed-granite trail by the airport, then enter Fisherman's Island State Park for two out-and-back loops through the woods.
Return route mirrors the start — finish line is on Park Avenue, downtown.
On the course
Aid stations every ~1.5 mi
Gatorade, GU, water, diffused Coke, and first aid at every station.
1:00 PM cutoff
Finish on the sidewalk after cut off — turn your time into RF Events.
Porta Johns
- Lake Shore Drive and Spring Street
- Sherman near Garfield
- Parking lot at Harbor Industries on SR 31
- Corner of Bells Bay Rd and Bike path
- Lots of restrooms in Fisherman Island Rec area
Spectator Guide
Want to watch your athlete while on the course? There are several areas where you'll have the best viewing:
- Along Park Ave on the walking path
- Corner of Grant and Park Ave — get there early and park at Michigan Beach
- Along Lake Michigan at Boulder Park
- Carpenter and State Street
- On US-31 there are several places to park and watch them go by the biggest Cherry Pie in the world
- At the Charlevoix Airport
- The best spot is at Fisherman's Island if they are running the half or full
Please do not walk or stand on private property. No parking is permitted on Park Ave between Bridge Street and Antrim St.
We know you want to see your athlete take off and come in through the finish line. For the safety of all 2,300 runners, we ask that you do not enter the start/finish line area. We will have barricades along Park Ave — all spectators must stay behind the barricades.
There will be photographers capturing that special moment for you — FREE.
No wheels of any kind are permitted on the course with the exception of strollers on the 5K.
No animals are allowed. Service dogs must have their original paperwork and run at the back of the pack.