Regional Race Events
The regions's scenic varied landscape inspires residents and visitors alike to hike, paddle, run and swim for exercise and competition throughout the year at events including these:

BIGFOOT SNOWSHOE RACE
JANUARY
This unique race is open to racers of all skill levels but it is also the Midwest qualifier for the National Championship Snowshoe race in February. Learn more at www.runsnow.com

NORTH AMERICAN VASA
FEBRUARY
Equally revered, these annual 10K, 27K, and 50K free-style and classic cross-country skiing races wind through the Pere Marquette State Forest. Learn more at www.vasa.org

Traverse City Trail Running Festival
April
The Traverse City Trail Running Festival is Northern Michigan's premier celebration of off-road running. The courses will take runners through the Pere Marquette Forest on a variety of singletrack and two track trails. The festival begins with a two-person 10k relay (each runner runs 5k) on Friday evening, and the 10k, 25k, and 50k individual races get underway on Saturday morning. Learn more here: www.enduranceevolution.com/traverse-city-trail-running-festival

MUD, SWEAT AND BEERS
May
A spring race that combines challenging terrain, races for all levels of skill, and a really fun post-party. The event takes place at nearby Mt. Holiday. Learn more at www.mudsweatandbeers.com

BAYSHORE MARATHON
May
A marathon, half-marathon, and 10K from Traverse City and along Old Mission Peninsula. A truly unforgettable view from start to finish. Learn more at www.bayshoremarathon.org

M-22 CHALLENGE
May
Run, pedal, and paddle along a 22-mile course that includes climbing Sleeping Bear Dunes, biking 17 miles around Big and Little Glen Lakes, and paddling 2.5 miles out and back in Little Glen Lake. Can't beat the incredible views you'll experience during the M-22 Challenge. http://m22challenge.com

Glen Arbor Solstice Half Marathon and 5K
June
Join Endurance Evolution for a scenic half marathon and 5k running race in Glen Arbor. The half marathon will take runners around Big Glen Lake in a clockwise loop, starting and finishing near downtown Glen Arbor. Runners ascend Inspiration Point on the south side of Big Glen Lake where they will experience one of the most spectacular views of Leelanau County. The 5k course is flat and fast, and will take runners through tree-lined roads near downtown Glen Arbor. Get more information at: www.enduranceevolution.com/glen-arbor-solstice-half-marathon-5k

Stars, Stripes and Splatter
July
This is a color run style event with color stations featuring patriotic colors held here on the grounds of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. The race is followed by an after party with refreshments, an inflatable obstacle course, and color toss. Learn more at http://starsstripesandsplatter.com

NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL "FESTIVAL OF RACES" 15/5K
July
This race originally started in 1973 as a 10K and then in 1978, shifted to a 15K and finally added Traverse City's first 5K in 1989. This race has seen over 50,000 participants cross the finish line. Learn more at www.cherryfestival.org.

TRAVERSE CITY TRIATHLON
August
Dividing West and East Grand Traverse Bay, Old Mission Peninsula offers stunning scenery and a challenging landscape. The half-, Olympic- and sprint-distance races start in the calm, clean waters of Bowers Harbor on West Grand Traverse Bay for a loop swim. The bike courses point athletes past picturesque orchards and vineyards and over a few tough climbs. Heading out on the run, racers follow Neahtawanta Road along the water before turning up a dirt road into the Pyatt Nature Preserve. Athletes then return to the pavement for the final stretch to the finish line at Bowers Harbor Park. The Traverse City Triathlon delivers a beautiful course, professional race management, and great racing; this is Northern Michigan's most memorable triathlon. Get more information at: www.enduranceevolution.com/traverse-city-triathlon
Reebok Ragnar Relay Michigan
September
Reebok Ragnar Relay Michigan is a magical combination of fall colors, sugar sand beaches, massive dunes, and wild Ragnarians. Teams of 12 or 6 will start the 200-ish mile relay in charming Muskegon where runners speed past historic ships and lighthouses with a van of teammates cheering them along each leg of the course. A Ragnar wouldn’t be complete without a finish line party, hunky finisher medal, and stories to tell for years to come. Find out what it means to find your #innerWILD. Learn more: www.runragnar.com/event-detail/relay/michigan

Harvest Stompede
September
The annual Harvest Stompede weekend features a spectacular race through Leelanau's vineyards followed by a self-guided wine tour of Leelanau Peninsula wineries. Enjoy world-class wines paired with culinary delights. During the 2014 Harvest Stompede, wineries will once again feature locally sourced food item with each culinary pairing. Learn more: www.lpwines.com/harvest

SLEEPING BEAR MARATHON AND HALF MARATHON
October
A scenic marathon and half marathon in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. 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, turning around at the 6.55 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. Learn more: www.enduranceevolution.com/sleeping-bear-marathon-half-marathon

Devil's Dive Half Marathon
October
This scenic course takes place during the peak of fall color season. Along the race route runners will be greeted by devils, referees, cats, clowns, witches, angels, highlighters, zombies, minions, and more! Race participants are encouraged to dressed up as well. Post race food includes bananas, bagels, caramel apples, candy, apple cider, pumpkin donuts, and homemade cookies. Learn more at www.devilsdivehalf.com

THE GREAT BEERD RUN
November
Join us at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa for the Great Beerd Run, a 5k fun run designed to celebrate all things Beer and Beard. This is an untimed run with on course beer tastings featuring Beards Brewery, Short's Brewery and Right Brain Brewery. There is also a post-race Beer Tent featuring a Best Beard Contest, race grub, music, and beer. Click for details: http://thegreatbeerdrun.com

ICEMAN COMETH CHALLENGE
November
This renowned 29-mile, point-to-point mountain bike race from Kalkaska to Traverse City offers more than $54,000 in cash awards and $10,000 in merchandise prizes. Learn more about the event: www.iceman.com
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