Top of Michigan Festival of Races 2026

Save the Date!

The annual Top of Michigan Festival of Races at Bayfront Park in Petoskey, Memorial Day weekend, is hosted by the Top of Michigan Trails Council. The Saturday, May 23, event features three professionally timed run/walk events in half-marathon, 10k, and 5k distances – all using the Little Traverse Wheelway. Participants can register at www.runsignup.com. The Festival of Races is organized by the Top of Michigan Trails Council and supported by an array of local sponsors and volunteers. Registration fees benefit the Trails Council, overseer of over 300 miles of nonmotorized trail in Northern Michigan.

The course is run along the Little Traverse Wheelway, a nonmotorized trail that runs from Charlevoix, through Petoskey/Bay Harbor, and onto Harbor Springs. This year, our course will be out and back 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 a trail, connecting into the Petoskey State Park for the 10k and Half Marathon.

2026 Courses Coming Soon!

When: Saturday, May 23rd

2025 Info:

• Friday Packet Pickup – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Location 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

Where: Lime Kiln Kid’s Fishing Pond, Bayfront Park

Questions about the race? Contact the race director btn@trailscouncil.org