From big races to Saturday morning group runs—find running events and connect with the local endurance sports community.
The Traverse City Track Club Bayshore was started in 1983 by a group of volunteers who wanted to share with fellow runners the beauty of the Grand Traverse region. Since then, Bayshore has evolved into a respected and beloved event that has played an integral role in helping build a healthy, active running community through charitable giving. Bayshore is the primary revenue generator that funds all events, activities and programs of the Traverse City Track Club, which has now donated over $2.5 million to date.
Each year, Traverse City Track Club selects several 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to utilize the event as a way to raise funds for their organization. In 2026, charity partners will be given a limited amount of reserved race entries. These entries guarantee entry into the Bayshore events once the fundraising goal of $400 is met.
To become a fundraiser, click HERE
Celebrate the 16th year of the Fifth Third Bank Leapin' Leprechaun 5k with a course starting on Lake Ave in Old Town Traverse City on March 14, 2026.
The LL5K is hosted by The Festival Foundation and sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Proceeds from this event support the littlest leprechauns through a donation to the Munson Medical Center’s NICU.
Each registrant will receive an LL5K T-shirt*, professionally timed results, carbs at the finish line, and age group medals will be awarded for first to third place.
So grab your green and throw on those lucky socks for the Fifth Third Bank Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K foot race!
*Must be registered by March 1st to claim a t-shirt
Like Running or Walking? Love Wine? These races are for you!
Join us on Sunday, April 12, 2026 with start times available at 8:30am and 10:30am (you will select your start time during registration). Make sure to secure a spot early because both waves will sell out! This event features the scenic views and amazing wines of Mari Vineyards! Located on lovely Old Mission Peninsula just north of Traverse City, Michigan. Mari Vineyards is dedicated to making exquisite red and white wine from experimental Italian grapes alongside traditionally grown appellation varieties. Whether you are looking to run, walk or just enjoy the wine these races are a sure thing for a great time and an incredible experience! This race will be timed and scored by J3 Timing. Results will be posted at www.J3Timing.com.
Registration Includes:
T-shirt: Super Soft Ring Spun Cotton t-shirt included!
Wine Glass: Shatterproof, Collapsible, and Portable!
Finisher Medal: Doubles as a Wine Stopper!
Race Bib: Chip timed 5k run/walk
Results Posted Online
...and of course, a pour of wine!
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.
Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.
Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.
Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.
Makeup Date Information: 5/31/2026
Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.
Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):
Pre-K 50 Yard Dash
Pre-K 75 Yard Dash
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
2nd & 3rd Grade
4th & 5th Grade
6th to 8th Grade
Challenger
Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!
#GetUpandGo
Find a Blue Jean Mile Near You!
This May, one mile can change everything. Put on your favorite pair of blue jeans and join us for the 6th annual ASICS Blue Jean Mile.
In 2020, Johnny Gregorek set the first-ever Blue Jean Mile world record in honor of his late brother, Patrick. Six years later, what started as a personal tribute has become a tradition to raise awareness and funds to support mental wellness.
For more information on how to donate, please visit National Alliance on Mental Illness
ASICS takes its name from the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body." We are a brand founded on the principle that movement is important not just for the body, but also for the mind.
Welcome to the Traverse City Trail Running Festival!
Northern Michigan’s premier celebration of off-road running, this event takes you through the stunning Pere Marquette Forest along a variety of singletrack and wide doubletrack trails.
The festival kicks off on Friday evening with a two-person 10K relay and a 5K, followed by Saturday morning’s exciting lineup of individual races: 10K, 25K, 50K, 75K, and 100K, plus the 100K relay. All races start and finish at the Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
After your run, stay and unwind with post-race snacks, beverages, fire pits, yard games, and cheer on fellow participants. We can't wait to see you there!
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.
Get ready for a breathtaking running experience with the Traverse City Track Club Bayshore Marathon! 🏃♂️ If you love running, this race is for you. Traverse City, nestled in the beautiful Michigan region, offers you an exceptional setting with its sparkling lakes and stunning nature. Whether you are a fan of 10 km, the half-marathon or ready to embark on the full 42,195 km adventure, there is a distance for every runner! 🌟
Celebrate what makes running fun — high-fives, endorphins, good friends. Come hang with us to celebrate Global Running Day, run a fun 4 miles and make The Big Run an epic party!
Let’s do this. Sign up now.
Global Running Day is annually celebrated the first week of June and we can't wait to celebrate on June 3rd! We will meet at Hull Park and run one lap around the Boardman Lake Loop (this year there will be a 10k option as well!) Join us at 5:45 for a quick warm up powered by ATI Physical Therapy before starting the run at 6pm. Once your run has finished make sure to hang around after for a family friendly celebration with drinks and food provided by Brooks running!
Stay connected:
● Find community at your local Fleet Feet https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/traversecity
● Join our No Boundaries Training Program for even more big run fun! Sign up here!
● Follow us on Facebook, and Instagram.
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
Celebrate 53 years of the Meijer Festival of Race presented by Cherry Bay Orchards by signing up for the Priority Health 5k, the Michigan Planners 10k, the Michigan Planners McKinley Challenge 15k or the Michigan Planners Half Marathon today! This race series celebrates the beauty and agriculture in the Traverse City Area provides unique race experience such as finishing on a parade route or running through an orchard (Half Marathon only).
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!
About the Event:
Come celebrate the Boardman Lake Loop Trail! The Traverse City Track Club presents Loop The Lake, a 4-mile, 8-mile, and 2-person relay trail race around Boardman Lake, just south of downtown Traverse City. The race will follow the Boardman Lake Loop Trail, which includes mostly pavement, as well as some gravel, bridges, and boardwalks.
The 4 mile event is open to runners and walkers. The 8 mile event is recommended for runners only.
Course closes at 8pm sharp!
Distance:
4 miles Exactly! This race has been certified by the USATF.
The individual 8 mile and relay (2 people run 4 miles each - 1 at a time) will be slightly over 8 miles.
Giveaway:
Everyone receives a Loop The Lake Racetracker Technical Run-Dri Running Cap along with some snacks and beverages.
Awards:
The top 3 overall and top 3 masters (40+) for male and female in the 4-mile and 8-mile event will receive a custom plate hand-crafted at ClaySpacetc just down the road!
Age group top 3 (5-year age groups to 80 and up) for the 4-mile and 8-mile event will receive a custom clay Loop The Lake 2025 medal.
Relay awards for top male team, female team, coed team, masters* male team, masters* female team, and masters* coed team.
*Masters teams are a combined age of 100+
About the Course:
The race will follow the Boardman Lake Loop Trail, starting and finishing in Hull Park on the north side of the lake. The east side is a heavily wooded segment featuring gentle curves and a mix of pavement, boardwalk, and some gravel surface. The southern end features two bridges over the Boardman/Ottway River and an extended boardwalk over the Boardman Lake Cove (pictured above). The west side is pavement, and the northern end features one bridge over the Boardman River.
Check out the map here! We will be running in a clockwise direction.
The course will be open to the general public; however, the upcoming race will be heavily announced and signage provided for the public's awareness.
Start Details:
The race will include a wave start at Hull Park. Runners will be asked to line up according to their estimated finish time.
Wave Starts:
We want to ensure a safe and great experience for all participants. We will utilize a wave start on an honor basis (participants will line up according to their expected finish time) to distribute runners and walkers on the trail. Volunteers will be on hand to help determine waves.
Parking:
Loop the Lake is an Urban Trail race. While there will not be parking available within Hull Park, there are many parking options nearby within walking distance, including multiple parking decks. Please do not park at any apartment complexes or within the Brick Wheels parking lot.
Packet Pickup/Late Registration - Hull Park:
Packet Pickup begins at 4pm on Friday, September 4th right at Hull Park! Online registration will be open up until 5:45pm on race day. QR codes will be available to signup online at the event. No cash or paper registration available.
Background:
"This beautiful and highly anticipated Loop is the product of meaningful, high-impact collaboration, years of support, gumption, and hard work from many facets of the community. Thanks to the passion and persistence of countless individuals and trail project partners, the Loop is now a reality and serves as the crown jewel and centerpiece of the TART Trails network. We are thrilled to share this monumental moment with the community" (TART Trails website).
The Boardman Lake Trail is owned by the City of Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, and Garfield Township. TART Trails works with the City, County, and Township to support the development and maintenance of the trail.
3rd Annual More Than Four 5.04k Run/Walk | Founded by Conor Rigan
*Event details are pending please check back or sign up for our newsletter!
For more information, visit our website at www.morethanfourfoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, or contact us at [email protected].
The Traverse City Track Club Zombie Run is a Halloween tradition! Over the years we’ve seen zombies from all walks of life, or should we say death. Who or what will show up this year? Right Brain Brewery will be hosting the run as always. Zombies and beer have always been a winning combination! Make sure to stick around after the race for the medal ceremony, costume prizes, music, post-race refreshments, and most of all zombie socializing!
You’ll collect your survival kit (a.k.a. race packet) at Right Brain Brewery.
Early Packet Pickup: Friday, October 30 from 5–7 PM. Pick up your bib, dodge a few zombies, and if you’d like, stick around to enjoy a Right Brain brew while you’re there.
Race Day Pickup: Saturday, October 31 from 7–8:45 AM. Quick in, quick out.
More FAQs can be found here!
Traverse City Track Club’s Jingle Bell Run: 5:30pm - Sunday, December 20, 2026
The Jingle Bell Run is a nighttime holiday run that tours favorite neighborhood streets bordering downtown Traverse City that are adorned in holiday lights and decorations. The event welcomes runners and walkers of all ages and abilities donned in festive holiday costumes. It is a fun and festive, family-friendly event.
The Jingle Bell Run is a non-timed 5k run/walk, followed by complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, holiday cheer, and social time. The event, free to current TCTC members, is a reunion to welcome family and friends over the holiday season and enjoy the downtown Traverse City running scene in the winter season. The Jingle Bell Run typically averages over 600 participants!
Schedule for Sunday, December 21st:
Packet pickup begins at 4:30 p.m. (Park Place Hotel)
Run begins at 5:30 p.m. (Park Place Hotel)
Distance: 5K
Course: Neighborhood streets adjacent to downtown Traverse City. Not timed.
Fee: Free to 2026 TCTC members (must become a member or renew your membership by October 31, 2026)
Special Details:
Wear your favorite holiday attire, including lights! Costume prizes thanks to our friends at Lululemon.
Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies after the run thanks to the Traverse City Track Club!
Everyone receives a custom Jingle Bell Run ornament made my our friends at ClaySpaceTC.
Don't forget to upload your selfies, costumes, and other pictures on our photo page!
Registrants will have the opportunity to donate during registration to the Traverse City Track Club, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and support programming.
USA Swimming Club. 75 members.