6 events in Oakland County, Michigan
From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find trail running events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
Oakland County
6 events in Oakland County-
Sat, May 09, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
☀️ CROOKED LAKE TRAIL RUN 🌲
2.3 Mile • 5K • 10K 🏃♀️🏃♂️
🌲🏃♂️ Experience one of Southeast Michigan’s most scenic trail races!
The Crooked Lake Trail Run winds through the beautiful trails of Independence Oaks County Park, featuring well-maintained paths, rolling terrain, and stunning hardwood forests.
Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or tackling your first race, there’s a distance for everyone.
🔥 Kick off your race season the right way on the trails!
🗓️ Race Date:
Saturday, May 9, 2026
📍 Race Location:
Independence Oaks County Park (9501 Sashabaw Road Village of Clarkston, MI 48348)
Registration Includes:
⏱️ Chip Timed Race with Live Results
👕 Custom Dri-Fit Race Shirt
🏅 Custom Finisher Medal
🏆 Overall & Age Group Awards
📸 FREE Race Photos
🍎 Post-Race Refreshments
📏 Race Distances:
🏃♀️2.3 Mile Run/Walk — “Lakeshore Loop”
Flat & fast — great for beginners or runners chasing a PR
Scenic lakefront views around Crooked Lake 🌊🍃
🏃♀️5K Run/Walk — “Springlake Loop”
Challenging rolling hills
Forested stretches through the hardwoods + lake views 🌲🌳🌊
🏃♂️💨 10K Run — “Springlake Loop x2”
Two laps of the 5K course
Perfect for runners seeking a longer, more demanding trail challenge
📅Packet Pick-Up Date & Time:
Race Day — Saturday, May 9th 2026
🕒 7:30 AM – 8:50 AM
Independence Oaks County Park (Twin Chimneys)
9501 Sashabaw Road
Village of Clarkston, MI 48348
⏱️Race Start Times:
2.3 Mile — 9:05 AM
5K — 9:00 AM
10K — 9:00 AM
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Sun, May 10, 2026 at 9:00 PMSee full details
Miles, Moonshine, and Music — Under the Stars
If you’re looking for a night running experience unlike anything else in Southeast Michigan, mark your calendar for May 9, 2026 and join us for the 14th annual Moonlight Bootlegger 5K at beautiful Maybury State Park in Northville, MI. Since 2012, thousands of runners have stepped into the shadows to take on this after-dark trail adventure—blending the thrill of trail running with the energy of live music and the camaraderie of a shared post-race celebration.
Inspired by the Prohibition-era bootleggers, you’ll race through the woods like you’re making a midnight run to escape the law—guided only by your headlamp, the moon, and the warm glow of 300+ tea lights marking the course. The route offers a mix of wide trails and flowing singletrack, making it perfect for experienced trail runners chasing a PR or road runners trying trails for the first time.
What to Expect:
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Date & Location: Saturday, May 9, 2026 – Maybury State Park, Northville, MI
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Start Time: 9:00 pm race start for a true night running experience
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Course: Wide trails + singletrack, well-marked and tea light-lit
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Headlamp Required: No light, no run!
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Post-Race Celebration: Live bluegrass music at the finish line
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Race Swag: Custom mason jar + two moonshine cocktails or mocktails, soft gender-specific tech shirt
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Community Vibe: Perfect for run clubs, groups, and friends who want an unforgettable night outdoors
Why Run Moonlight Bootlegger 5K?
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Unique nighttime trail running experience in Southeast Michigan
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Perfect for first-time trail runners or chasing a trail PR
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Celebrate with live bluegrass music under the stars
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Enjoy post-race cocktails or mocktails in a keepsake mason jar
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Run club friendly—gather your crew and make it a night out
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Scenic mix of wide paths and flowing singletrack lit by hundreds of tea lights
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A race that blends community, adventure, and celebration
So grab your headlamp, rally your crew, and get ready to run through the night like an outlaw. At Moonlight Bootlegger 5K, the trails are calling, the music is playing, and the moonshine is waiting for you at the finish line.
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Sun, May 17, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
Whether you run or walk, join us for the Annual Dragon Dash! This 5K certified course beginning and ending at the Wildwood Amphitheater and following the Polly Ann Trail north will kick off your training season. All runners will receive an award crossing the finish line. All levels of runners and walkers are invited, from beginner to competitive. Race starts at 9 am. Proceeds will go toward Orion Area Youth Assistance and their programming for youth. Race day registration and runner check in will be at the Wildwood Amphitheater, 2700 Joslyn Ct., Lake Orion 48360. Out and back course will start/end at the Wildwood Amphitheater and proceed north down the Pollyann Trail to the Lake Orion Community Schools Administration building and back.
In person registration fee increases on race day to $25
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Sun, Jul 19, 2026 at 9:30 AMSee full details
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.
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Sun, Aug 16, 2026 at 10:00 AMSee full details
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.
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Sat, Oct 10, 2026 at 9:30 AMSee full details
October is the peak of fall colors at Independence Oaks, so you will be running and walking through some of the most wonderfully decorated hardwood forests in southeastern Michigan, as well as on wood chip trails. Choose from any of three races of varying lengths - all beginning and ending at the same location.
The 2.5 Mile race makes a single circuit around Crooked Lake, with rolling hills. The challenging 5.5 Mile race continues a second time around the lake and branches off onto Rock Ridge Trail. The longest 8.5 Mile race includes a third lap, continuing onto Spring Lake Trail, and is not for the faint of heart.