From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find fun run events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
This is a superhero-themed race, coordinated by NMC's Professional Communications class! Please come wearing your favorite superhero costume. The Fun Run is free, and every participating child will receive a free cape! After the event, join us for awards, prizes, food, and activities for kids of all ages. Proceeds of this event will sponsor College for Kids scholarships.
Every child needs a hero, and you can help by racing in this super event. The one-mile Fun Run starts at 9:00 a.m. in the Cedar lot, and the 5K and 10K start at 10:00 a.m. The race route winds around Northwestern Michigan College's Main Campus and proceeds out on East Shore Rd.
Celebrating its 44th Anniversary, the Bayshore Marathon has become a “must run” for runners throughout the Midwest and beyond. Many runners return year after year to enjoy the scenic courses which run along the shores of beautiful Grand Traverse Bay. Hosted by Traverse City Track Club, Bayshore features a 10K, half marathon a full marathon, and a kids 1.2 mile fun run. The number of runners in all three races is limited to ensure a more enjoyable experience.
Traverse City Track Club uses proceeds from Bayshore to sponsor many running and health related activities in and around Northwest Michigan.
TART Trails and Up North Pride are hosting the annual Rainbow Run, a color fun run and fundraiser around the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. On June 20, 2026, the event will celebrate the trail systems and the Northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ Community during Pride Month. Participants and spectators will be invited to Hull Park to enjoy music and refreshments before and after the run.
The run/walk route will take participants counterclockwise around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. There will be five distinct and separated stations along the route for participants to receive their colors. All participants who register by May 30th will receive a branded white t-shirt. We will be using a powder made of colored cornstarch that will be human, fish, and environment-friendly and will wash out after a rain to have no long-lasting effects on the park or the City infrastructure. The trail will stay open for public use so please be kind to other trail users.
When
Friday, June 19, 2026 - packet pick up | Fleet Feet, downtown Traverse City
4:00-7:00 pm | packet pick up / check-in
Saturday, June 20, 2026 - race day | Hull Park, Boardman Lake Loop Trail
8:00 am | late packet pick up / check in
9:00 am | run / walk start
12:00 pm | event ends
Where
Hull Park | 660 Hannah Ave, Traverse City, Michigan 49686
Route
The run/walk route will take participants counterclockwise around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Water and bathrooms will be available at Hull Park and Medalie Park. Five distinct color stations will also offer water along the route.
Waves
Participants will identify themselves as runners or walkers at check-in and will be assigned a wave. There will be 8 waves that start 2 minutes apart. Each wave will be limited to 50 participants. There will be designated waiting areas for each wave.
This is done so people will generally start and run/walk most of the event near people of their own abilities and speeds. This will also prevent participants from waiting in line to receive their color spray at each color station along the route.
Who benefits
Proceeds will be split between Up North Pride and TART Trails
What is the cost?
Pre-Registration | $25 Student (17 and under) / $30 Adult (18+) | must register by May 30th to guarantee a t-shirt & early bird pricing
May 31st price increase | $30 Student (17 and under) / $35 Adult (18+)
Parking & Bathrooms
Public Parking is available across the street from the Traverse Area District Library, at the Department of Public Services (DPS) at 625 Woodmere Ave. (The large back lot is accessible from Hannah Ave.) For safety, we ask that you use either the crosswalk directly in front of the library, or at the Woodmere/Hannah intersection. There is also limited pull-in parking along the railroad tracks on the east side of Hull Park.
The Public Restrooms in Hull Park open around 7 am. There are also restrooms just inside the library, which opens at 9am, and at Medalie Park on the far side of the course.
Packet Pick Up
Join us for packet pick up on Friday, June 19 between 4 to 7 pm at Fleet Feet in downtown Traverse City! Grab your t-shirt, wave assignment and stick around for lots of fun. Check-in and packet pick up will also be available Saturday morning at Hull Park beginning at 8 am.
Training Programs
Are you new to running? There are great training groups and fun run/walks offered by our local sponsors and community partners:
Fleet Feet run/walk groups, more info here
Traverse City Track Club weekly fun runs, more info here
Volunteer
Volunteers are the heart of Up North Pride and TART Trails, volunteer sign up is coming soon!
Inclement Weather Information
In the event of inclement weather (thunder, lightning, threatening rain), we may postpone or cancel the Rainbow Run. Please check your email on the morning of the event for updates. TART Trails and Up North Pride will also post updates to social media channels if needed. In the event of cancellation or postponement, your registration fee is non-refundable and will be considered a tax-deductible donation to TART Trails and Up North Pride.
The 2026 Rainbow Run is presented by JenTees Custom Logo Gear and Molina Healthcare.
The Cherry Kids Fun Run will be an "out-n-back" style race starting and ending at Central Grade School on 7th Street. Preregistration is highly suggested. Check-in and registration opens at 5pm and the race takes off at 6pm.
6:00pm Kids Fun Run Takes Off
6:30pm Parade Kicks off
Join us July 25, 2026 in Traverse City, MI for the Great Lakes Cancer Foundation 5k and kids 1 mile fun run to help raise awareness, funds, and hope for any and all that have been affected by Cancer. At the Great Lakes Cancer Foundation, our mission is to remove financial barriers for at-risk individuals seeking essential cancer screenings and diagnostic services. We believe everyone deserves access to early detection, and we’re here to make it possible.
The festivities will start at 8am with our kids untimed 1 mile race! This race will take place from Eastern elementary down Eastern Ave as a safe out and back on the sidewalk. The out and back style course will allow the kiddos to high five and smile at one another while they cheer and run their way back to the finish at Eastern Elementary.
The 5k will start and end at Eastern Elementary School at 8:30am. The flat fast course will take you past an aid station around mile one, running past the shore of the beautiful East Bay, and looping back to the Elementary School where you will be cheered across the finish line by all our supporting partners and volunteers! Come join the fun!
USA Swimming Club. 75 members.