Date & Location

• Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
• Finish Location: Empire Beach - 10484 Niagara St. Empire, MI 49630
• Half & Full Start Location: Sleeping Bear Heritage Trailhead - Intersection of W Voice Rd and N Bar Lake Rd, Empire, MI 49630
• 5K Start Location: Empire Beach - 10484 Niagara St. Empire, MI 49630
• Start Times:
  • 7:30am - Marathon
  • 8:00am - Half Marathon
  • 8:20am - 5k Run/Walk
  • 1:30pm - Course Close

Per Person Entrance Pass

National Park Service Pass

• Message from National Park Service:
  • Participants may purchase their park pass at the visitor center, campgrounds, Dune Climb, or Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Staff will be at the Platte River Campground until 8:00 pm on Friday. The Philip Hart Visitor Center in Empire will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily for pass sales. They can also utilize the self-pay stations at North Bar Lake, Peterson Road Beach, or the Maritime Museum Beach. Other beaches have self-pay stations but those 3 are the closest to Empire. If they don't have time to purchase a pass before the race, they can always do it after the race is over.
• Full and half marathon participants must have a valid Sleeping Bear Dunes Entrance Pass on race day, either before or after the race. Information can be found here to purchase a pass.
  • • This is NOT a parking pass. Regardless of where you park, you will still need this pass.
• 5K participants, spectators, and volunteers DO NOT need a Sleeping Bear Dunes Entrance Pass

Packet Pick-Up

• Date: Friday October, 6
• Location: Fleet Feet – Traverse City South - 3301 South Airport Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684
• Time: 1:00-6:45pm EDT

• Date: Saturday October, 7
• Location:
  • Half & Full Marathon: Johnson Park - 11698 S Reynolds St. Empire, MI 49630
  • 5K: Empire Beach - 10484 Niagara St. Empire, MI 49630
• Time: 6:00-8:15am EDT

What You Get

• Finisher Shirt and Medal
• Post-Race Refreshments and Snacks
• Free Shorts beer for those 21+
• Professional Race Timing with Fast, Accurate Results
• Free Digital Race Photos From Focal Flame Photography
• Free Race Tracking with the Race Day Events App
• One of the Most Beautiful Running Courses Around

Runner Tracking

The EventApp will be updated approximately 1 week prior to Race Day. Let your friends and family know where you are! Download the Race Day Events App for real-time tracking and results on an interactive map! You’ll also find event information, event photo frames to share and more! To Track A Participant:

• Select “Sleeping Bear Marathon” and press the “Live Tracking” icon to add your favorite participants.
• You’ll need to log-in with Facebook or create an account.
• Participants must be added by name as bibs are not assigned until packet pick-up.
• Choose “Notify Me” to receive push notifications for that participant.
• Be sure to allow the app to provide you with notifications.

Awards

• Overall: Awards will be given for top 3 overall male and female in each distance.
• Age Group: The top three finishers (male and female) in each age division for all distances will win awards.

• 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

Parking

Parking is located at Johnson Park. This location is approximately a 5 minute walk to the start/finish line. For navigation purposes, use this address: 11698 S Reynolds St. Empire, MI 49630. Overflow parking is in the downtown Empire area if needed. All athletes and spectators must park at Johnson Park or within Empire. 

NO PARKING IS ALLOWED ON S. LACORE ST. OR W. VOICE RD.

Shuttle Service

HALF AND FULL MARATHON ONLY Shuttles will be available for half and full marathon athletes from Johnson Park, to the start line at Sleeping Bear Heritage Trailhead, at the corner of W Voice Rd and N Bar Lake Rd. Shuttles will run from 6:00AM – 7:45AM.

Shuttle Bus Schedule

Please note that NO SPECTATORS will be allowed on the shuttle buses.

• Pick Up - 6:00AM  -  Drop off 6:15AM
• Pick Up - 6:05AM  -  Drop off 6:15AM
• Pick Up - 6:10AM  -  Drop off 6:15AM
• Pick Up - 6:30AM  -  Drop off 6:45AM
• Pick Up - 6:35AM  -  Drop off 6:45AM
• Pick Up - 6:40AM  -  Drop off 6:45AM
• Pick Up - 7:00AM  -  Drop off 7:15AM
• Pick Up - 7:05AM  -  Drop off 7:15AM
• Pick Up - 7:10AM  -  Drop off 7:15AM
• Pick Up - 7:30AM  -  Drop off 7:45AM
• Pick Up - 7:35AM  -  Drop off 7:45AM
• Pick Up - 7:40AM  -  Drop off 7:45AM

Weather / Refund Policy

This race does not offer refunds or deferrals. If you are registered for the event, you agreed to the no refund and no deferral policy prior to submitting your online registration. This includes those who experience illness, injury or any other condition that may prevent them from participating in the event.