3 running events in Petoskey, Michigan

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

5K Trail Run or Walk

• Start Time: 9:00 am

• Professionally timed

• Swag bag with race T-shirt*, vinyl sticker, and native seed packet

• Custom wooden medals for top finishers and age group winners

• EARLY BIRD RATES END MARCH 16

1 Mile Trail Run or Walk

• Start Time: 10:00 am

• Running clock (not professionally timed)

• Swag bag with race T-shirt*, vinyl sticker, and native seed packet

• EARLY BIRD RATES END MARCH 16

Family Fun Run

• Start Time: 10:20 am

• Less than 1/4 mile

• Geared towards families with young children

• Finisher ribbon for the kids

• Swag bag with sticker, temporary tattoo, and native seed packet

• All participants (including parents) must register. Participants 2 and under are free through May 13.

• Complimentary registration for those participating in the 5K or 1 Mile

5K Virtual Run

• Not located near Petoskey? Participate from afar!

• Swag bag with race T-shirt*, vinyl sticker, and native seed packet. Shipping charges apply.

*Must be registered by May 6 for Race T-shirts

Check-in: You must check in prior to the event. Packet pickup is Friday, May 15 from 3:30-5:00pm at Petoskey Children's Nature Preschool (1804 E Mitchell, Petoskey, MI 49770), or at the event beginning at 8:00am.

Parking: Petoskey Middle School parking lot

The Fine Print: Children under age 12 must be supervised. Trail-appropriate strollers are allowed for the Family Fun Run only. While we love pets, please leave your dog at home.

Top of Michigan Festival of Races includes a series of races that benefit the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Petoskey High School Track and Cross Country teams.

The course is run along the Little Traverse Wheelway, a non-motorized trail that runs from Charlevoix, through Petoskey/Bay Harbor and onto Harbor Springs. This year, our course will be out and backs from Petoskey's waterfront. The trail is an excellent venue for runners. The trail is relatively flat and has spectacular views of the Little Traverse Bay. Please note that there are a few off road sections of this route, on grass and dirt.

The Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k start and end in Petoskey. The course is mostly paved, with some sections on grass and a short section on trail, connecting into the Petoskey State Park for the 10k and Half Marathon.

2026 Courses are as follows:

• 5k Course

• 10k Course

• Half Marathon Course

We expect 2025's to be the same!

Event Information:

Event Date:

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Event Location:

Lime Kiln Kid’s Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park, Petoskey, MI 49770

Event Times:

• Friday Packet Pickup - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - TBD

• Saturday Packet Pickup - 6:30 am to 7:15 am @ Lim Kiln Kid's Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park

• Half Marathon Race Begins - 7:30 am

• 10K Race Begins - 8:00 am

• 5K Race Begins - 8:15 am

• Awards - TBD

Registration Fees:

• Half - $70 Early Registration

• 10K - $45 Early Registration

• 5K - $30 Early Registration

• All races will have price increases on February 15, 2026, and again April 15, 2026

Registration Includes:

• Refreshments

• Finisher Medals

• Top Male/Female Awards

• T-Shirt (cut off May 12th)

Parking Options:

• There are three parking lots along Bayfront Drive open to the public. Please do not use the marina parking lot.

• The park above the bluff (Sunset Park) has a few parking spots available.

• Our friends at Kilwins have offered parking in a portion of their parking lots. This map shows two sections (1&2) available for runners.

Allow for enough time to park and walk to the start line.