Thatcher Markham Memorial Run, Presented by Aspirus Health

Friday June 12, 2026 – 7:00pm – Race Start at Quincy St and Dakota St, Hancock, MI – Race Finish at the Houghton Pier (between the Michigan Tech Lakeshore Center and the Portage Lake District Library), Houghton, MI

Come and run or walk with or in front of your family, friends, and neighbors. We are proud to honor the memory of Thatcher Markham with this 5K run/walk event that supports the Copper Country Junior Hockey Association and Pigs 'N Heat (Copper Country Police and Fire Relief Fund) in their missions to promote youth sports and support local fire/crime victims in the Copper Country. Thatcher's family and our community tragically lost Thatcher at 12 years old as a victim of the 2018 Father's Day flood in northern Houghton County. His memory has lived on through many local events and remembrances and this race is another way to make sure he is never forgotten by everyone in the Copper Country. It is also fitting that remembering Thatcher will help us with assisting local youth sports - Thatcher himself was a longtime CCJHA player - and local first-responders in their charitable work.

This race is your only opportunity to run/walk through downtown Hancock and Houghton and over the Portage Lake Lift Bridge on closed streets. The running race and non-competitive walk (5K, 3.1 miles) precedes the 2026 Bridgefest parade – starting just west of downtown Hancock and finishing on the waterfront in downtown Houghton. You can participate in this event and not miss the parade too! The finish will be on the Houghton Pier, just a block off the parade route. We'll get there before they do!

This will be a first-class event with T-Shirts for all participants, professional chip timing and results, an accurate distance with mile splits, overall and age group awards, and safe race conditions. Not to mention probable great weather and an awesome time racing in front of a huge crowd! The TMMR is also a part of the 2026 Run the U.P. Challenge road race series as the fourth race on that schedule.

Add to your Bridgefest experience with a fun, fitness-oriented event. Support great causes and remember a fine young man. Set a goal, challenge yourself, and enjoy the comradery of your community both on the course and lining both sides of the street as you go by. This is a great warm-up event to prep for the Canal Run in Hancock (July 18, 2026).