6 events in Benzie County, Michigan

Crystal Rush is a brand-new spring mountain bike race at Crystal Mountain, bringing true XCO action to Michigan on a 3.1-mile(ish) lap packed with options and excitement. Part of the new Boundless Race and Ride Company Grand Prix, it will offer cash prizes and amazing awards.

Riders can choose their own adventure each lap: send it on the A-line with jumps, drops, and tech, or take the slightly longer, more traditional B-line down the mountain. Designed in collaboration with Kyan Olshove, Rob Martin (Bike Life with Rob), and Earl Whitney (Crystal Mountain trail guy), Crystal Rush delivers something fresh, fast, and seriously fun to the state’s MTB scene. With projected lap times as quick as 14 minutes, the finish line will be rocking from the opening lap to the final sprint.

We will have the same post-race party that you’ve come to know and love at Peak2Peak, so sign up today to be part of the inaugural Crystal Rush!

A Ride with a Cause

Benzie Sunrise Rotary’s 17th annual Bike Event is now the Bike Benzie Tour. We are excited to be partnering with Crystal Mountain again to provide an exciting family event...with the same great food and after-party!

This in-person event is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Michigan*.

This year we are offering three cycling events for your Up North adventure. For those who like to explore the highways and byways of Benzie County we are offering 62-, 40- and 30-mile routes. All are scenic and safe cycling routes with rest stops, course safety monitors and excellent SAG support. Check out the routes on this site and choose the right distance and elevations for you. This is not a race, so no pelotons.

Special registration discounts available for families of 3 or more registering together and for riders younger than 18. Great family fun!

Registration fee includes box lunch. Additional lunch is only needed for non-registrants/

Please Note: Parts of several routes are on the Betsie Valley Trail. Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes are permitted on all routes. Also, 3-1/2 miles of the Betsie Valley Trail are crushed limestone.

2026 North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K , 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run

Crystal Mountain Resort | Thompsonville, Michigan

The 12th Annual North Mitten Half Marathon, 10K & 5K returns to beautiful Crystal Mountain Resort on June 6, 2026! Bring the family and make it a weekend getaway in Northern Michigan.

Advanced lodging reservations are required. We recommend booking early.

Use discount code MITTEN for a special room rate. Visit https://www.crystalmountain.com/reservations/?pid=24127

While you’re here, be sure to:

• Explore downtown Frankfort

• Visit the Lake Michigan beaches

• Head north to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

• Celebrate race day with a cold refreshment—compliments of Storm Cloud Brewery

Race Details

• Courses include a mix of open trail, dirt road, and pavement

• Routes are primarily flat and do not climb the mountain

• Perfect for beginners and seasoned runners alike

• Chip-timed event

• All finishers receive a custom wooden finisher medal

All final race details will be posted on the website and emailed in the racers guide before the race.

Event Schedule

Friday, June 5th

• 4;00 pm -6;00 pm Packet pick up Crystal Mountain - Mountain View

Saturday, June 6th

• 7 am - 830 am Late packet pick up Crystal Mountain- MountainView

8:00 am Half Marathon start

8:30 am 10k start

9:00 am 5k start

9:30 am Fun Run late registration and bib pick up.

• 10:15 am Live awards

11:00 am 1 Mile Fun Run

12:00 pm Course closes

Packet Pick-Up

Packet pick-up will be held at the Crystal Mountain - Mountain View Room on Friday and Saturday. It is highly encouraged that you pick packets up on Friday. If you must pick up on Saturday, plan to arrive 60 minutes prior to race time. Fun Run participants are NOT required to attend packet pick up. Fun run bibs will be available for pick up on race day at the event.

Awards

All Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k athletes receive a unique wood finisher medal. The top overall male and female in each race receive a hydration backpack and prize pack. Prizes are awarded to the top 3 in each age category. All participants are entered to win a RIVER KAYAK!

Age Groups

14 & under, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49,

50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75+

A live awards ceremony will take place at the tent at 10:15 am. Awards will be available until 12am. Please plan to pick up your award. Awards will not be sent.

All 1 MILE FUN RUN participants receive a custom bib and a North Mitten sticker.

Event Rules

· Be respectful of the trail, nature, private property and others.

· No littering

· No dogs or strollers on course

· Headsets are allowed but not encouraged for your safety.

· Smile, soak it in and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. It’s a rule. 😊

POSITIVE IMPRESSIONS

North Mitten events is dedicated to People and Planet health. Our goal is to spread positive people and planet impressions in our community and beyond.

North Mitten pledges these eco-conscience and community-based efforts for the North Mitten Race.

· To maintain a clean and litter free trail and venue.

· To be consumer conscience and provide only products of use.

· To discourage waste and encourage runners to carry water bottles or hydration systems instead of using aid station cups.

· To avoid plastic and single use products.

· To provide only compostable supplies when single use is unavoidable.

· To compost, reuse or recycle food and supplies.

· To source food and supplies locally as much as possible.

· To donate one tree per participant to the North Mitten PLANT A TREE project.

GIVING BACK

We are excited to announce that North Mitten will once again partner with North Sky Raptor Sanctuary for the 2026 North Mitten race. North Mitten will donate a portion of the Half Marathon, 10k and 5k proceeds and all proceeds from the 1 Mile Fun Run to North Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Visit www.northskyraptor.org to learn more about their amazing work!

Volunteers

Join us! North Mitten is seeking volunteers and creative groups to plant trees, cover aid stations, street crossings and registration. For more information, please visit the volunteer tab above or contact North Mitten at [email protected]

Timing provided by: TBD

Race Event provided by: North Mitten LLC. People and Planet Health. Events. Adventure. Education.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING NORTH MITTEN EVENTS.

SPONSORED BY: The Crystal Lake Community/Business Association

Online registration: $25. In-Person Registration ($25) and packet/t-shirt pick-up on-site at the pavilion in Beulah, July 3rd from 5-7pm. Registration and packet pickup morning of the race will be from 6:45-7:45am ($35).

The course begins in Beulah, travels outside of town with a few hills, along a dirt two-track and a short run downhill through a forest. The course finishes along the gravel Betsie Valley Trail back in town in Beulah near the shores of Crystal Lake.

The race will be professionally timed by Sportstats. Live results will be available after the race, and all awards may be picked up after the FREE 1-mile fun run.

T-shirts will be guaranteed to the first 550 participants.

AWARDS: 5K - Custom prints awarded to 1st and 2nd place overall winners in the men's and women's divisions and 1st place overall in the men's and women's master's divisions and grand master's divisions. Custom glasses are awarded to the 1st finishers in each age group and trophies to the 1st place finishers in 18 and under. Medals are awarded to 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each age group. You or your representative must be present to claim your medal. If your medal is NOT claimed on July 4th, you may pick it up at the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce office July 5th thru 10th between 9 am and 5 pm. CLCBA regrets it can no longer mail medals or T-shirts. Walk/run participants will receive a ribbon for finishing the race. Family category (free with entry). Must have three or more direct family members. Times of the three fastest family members will be combined and Family Prize will be awarded to the "Fastest" family.

Hosted by: The Crystal Lake Community Business Association

**There are no additional fees for registering online