The Ode to Laz Michigan Backyard Ultra is an ultra and virtual event held on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM
5k Run/walk at the Drayton Plains Nature Center. Cost is $35 and includes a race T-Shirt. Proceeds go to The Coffee Bucket , Blessings in a Backpack and Waterford Youth Assistance. Race day
registration starts at 8:00am. The race starts at 9:00am. Awards to the first 3 males and first 3 females.
This is a beautiful flat and fast course run on wide groomed trails through the nature center with plenty to see and do for participants and spectators.
5k Run Trail Walk
Sun, Jul 19, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Join the Ode Family! Be part of the coolest vibe in running. Wear your Ode medal proudly.
Pick either the hardest 5k in Michigan (maybe the country?) or pick the one that may be the most fun. Your
choice, or select both and receive a $10 discount on one race (you'll receive one set of swag). Both races are part of July's Ode to Laz weekend festival and take advantage of some of the best hiking trails in Michigan at Holly Recreation Area, a jewel of the state park system. Enjoy plenty of family-friendly activities too, like kayaking, fishing, camping, or swimming and splashing on the Whoa Zone at Lake Heron's beach.
The Stairway to Heaven 5k: This is the easy one. 9:30 am start. Register between 8-8:45 please at the Overlook Picnic area. Cheer our backyard runners as they pass you on their 25th hour You'll run on the Wilderness trail on a rolling out and back course and finish with one loop down and up the famous Stairway to Heaven. COURSE MAP
The Stairway to Hell 5k: This is the beast - 11:30 am start. Register 8-10:45 am please at the Overlook Picnic area. Our backyard ultra runners run this stairway every hour during their day loops. They'll be in their 27th hour of running by the time they pass by you before your start. Feel free to call them sissies, cause you'll be doing the Ode to Laz Loop's famous Stairway to Heaven 12 times in a row for your 5k, without the hour rest in between!!! You'll do a total of about 1100 feet of vertical. Get your stair legs ready!!! A course map? HA! We're not silly enough to do this 12 times just to make a map. Feel free to look at the Stairway to Heaven 5k map, it has the stairs at the end.
3.1 Miles 5k Run Swim Trail Ultra
Sat, Aug 15, 2026 at 8:30 AM
🌲🏃♂️ 7-LAKES TRAIL RUN — 3.5 MILE & 7 MILE 🏃♀️🌲
🗓️ Saturday, August 15th, 2026
📍 Seven Lakes State Park (4390 Fish Lake Road, Holly, MI 48442)
🏃♂️ Trail Running at It's Finest!
Choose your
challenge—3.5 miles or 7 miles—and experience one of Michigan’s most scenic trail runs! The 7-Lakes Trail Run starts and finishes at the 7-Lakes Beach, guiding runners through mature hardwood forests, lakeside views, and rolling terrain at beautiful Seven Lakes State Park. Bring the family and enjoy the lake after the Race!
🗺️ Trail Features:
A mix of flat sections and moderate elevation changes
Varied trail widths—wide, narrow, and everything in between
Natural obstacles like tree roots and uneven surfaces (trail shoes encouraged!)
Views of multiple lakes throughout your run
Course is well-marked with signs, cones, and field paint to highlight key turns and natural hazards—so you can focus on the run, not the route!
Registration Includes:
⏱️ Chip Timed Race w/ Live Results
👕 Custom Dri-Fit Participant Shirt
🥇 Custom Finisher Medal
🏆 Age Group & Overall Awards
📸 FREE Race Photos
🍌 Post-Race Refreshments
🏁 Race Start Times:
7-Mile Trail Run – 8:30 AM
3.5-Mile Trail Run – 8:35 AM
📦 Packet Pick-Up Info:
📍Seven Lakes State Park
🗓️ Saturday, August 15th (Race Day)
⏰ 6:30 AM – 8:20 AM
Come for the run—stay for the views, community, and the thrill of conquering natural trails.
Whether you're racing for time or just love a good off-road adventure, 7-Lakes Trail Run delivers!
5k 3.5 Miles 7 Miles 3.5Mile 7Mile Run Trail
Sun, Aug 16, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Join us for our third annual Tails & Trails 5K! The race is open to participants of all ages and will kick off with a Cat Walk 1K at 10am (dogs and cats are welcome in both races). The 5K race begins
at 10:30am and will take runners along Independence Oaks’ beautiful trails. A family fun zone and other activities for participants to enjoy will be on site for the duration of the race along with local animal businesses such as markets, groomers and more!
Our event is working to raise funds through donations for an amazing animal rescue this year: Great Lakes Dog Rescue.
Donations can also be made to Great Lakes Dog Rescue whose mission is to rescue well-tempered, adoptable dogs from animal control facilities and from owner-surrenders and provide them shelter and medical care until they are adopted. They are committed to educating and assisting the community in responsible pet ownership.
The race is open to both walkers and runners or all ages. Dogs or cats are welcome to race with their owner as long as they have a current license and are kept on a 6 foot leash. Please keep control of your pet at all times.
1k 5k Run Trail Walk
Sun, Sep 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Join us for the third annual Dragon Trails Triathlon! We are excited to invite any adventurous athletes to race this scenic and rugged sprint triathlon course. You will be challenged with a .75K (.46
mile) freshwater swim through Tommy’s Lake, a 20K (12.4 miles) of mixed terrain biking through Bald Mountain, the Polly Ann Trail, and Orion Oaks County Park, and a 5K (3.1 miles) run through the forested trails of Camp Agawam.
This event is truly one of a kind, and our race organizers are excited to host a limited number of athletes through an intimate and organized open water swimming, mountain biking, and trail running experience. While competitive, we've capped registration at 100 participants to limit chaos and congestion and ensure athlete safety.
All registrants will receive a swim cap, event shirt, pre run fuel options and on course nutrition, and drink ticket to use in our "Dragons Lair" after the race.
Maps of the 2025 Dragon Trails Triathlon are included below. 2026 courses coming soon!
16 Miles Mountain Biking Open Water Run Sprint Swim Trail Triathlon