From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find fun run events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
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
Saturday, June 6th
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.
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
Give your metabolism a boost over Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend with our Turkey Vulture Trot 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run! The 5K will begin at 9am on Thursday, November 27 on our Mountain Center Road course. The 1-Mile Fun Run will begin at 10am. A portion of the proceeds will benefit North Sky Raptor Sanctuary .
A commemorative medal will be awarded to the top 3 men and women in each age group for the 5K race. All Fun Run participants will receive a finisher medal. The overall male and female winner of the 5K will receive a Crystal Mountain Prize Pack valued at over $200.
We are excited to announce that for our 2025 Turkey Vulture Trot we will now have Chip timing! Runners will receive a bib with a small electronic device that records their time as they cross the starting line and the finish line.
Registration
Online registration will begin September 12 and will close at Noon on Wednesday, November 26.
Pre-Registration through November 26 (Online Only):
5k Cost: $25 per person
1-Mile Fun Run Cost: $10 per person
Registration Opens September 12, 2025 »
Day-Of Registration
5k Cost: $40
1-Mile Fun Run Cost: $25
The first 100 5k racers to sign up will receive a water bottle. Race supplies will be available for advance pickup at the Park at Water’s Edge on Wednesday, November 26 from 12pm - 4pm. Check-in on race day will be in the Kinlochen Lobby outside of The Thistle. Awards ceremony will take place at approximately 10:30am at the Lodge Pavilion Tent, slopeside near the Crystal Clipper.
For more information, please contact the Park at Water's Edge, 231-378-2238 .