Join us in 2023!

UPDATE: (9/21/2023)

Dear Athletes,

Thank you for your patience! We’ve got yet another small update!

Half and Full Marathon - After diligently working with the Town of Empire, we have been granted access to use S Lacore St, but only on the return portion of the course to the finish. On September 19th, the National Park Service requested another small change, to move the start line for the half and full marathon to the Dune Climb Parking Lot off of Hwy 109 at Hunter Rd. This is roughly 6 miles from the parking at Johnson Park. There will be shuttle bus service taking participants to the start line. Friends and Family MAY drop participants at the Dune Climb Parking Lot. All athletes will still finish at Empire Beach.

*Note – when athletes return onto S Lacore St, around mile 12 (half marathon) and 25 (marathon), athletes MUST stay within the coned lane.

5K – The start line does NOT change. You will start and finish at Empire Beach. What has changed for you is the course. Please find the updated course HERE.

These slight changes will still give you the same great sites on the course, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes, the National Park Trail System, the quaint town of Glen Arbor, and glimpses of the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan. We are excited to see you in October!

Thank you,
The Race Day Events Team

Join us for a scenic marathon, half marathon, and 5K run/walk in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. All races finish in Empire, MI. The out-and-back marathon course will take runners by the “Dune Climb”, past Little Glen Lake, and through the village of Glen Arbor with breathtaking views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes along the way. The half marathon will follow the same course as the marathon, with the half marathon turning around at the 6.5 mile mark. At the peak of fall color season, the tree-lined course will be one that both runners and spectators won’t soon forget. See why Good Morning America calls this area one of the most beautiful in the United States.