The Charlevoix Marathon is excited to host you on one of the most beautiful running courses in the world. Whether you’re running the full marathon, half marathon, 10km or 5km course, you’re in for an amazing start line on the famous Bridge Street, along Lake Michigan and finishing in old …
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The Charlevoix Marathon is excited to host you on one of the most beautiful running courses in the world. Whether you’re running the full marathon, half marathon, 10km or 5km course, you’re in for an amazing start line on the famous Bridge Street, along Lake Michigan and finishing in old town Charlevoix and Round Lake!
There are so many reasons that Runner’s World Magazine named the Charlevoix Marathon as one of the best “Small Town Marathons” in the United States. Maybe it’s the great lodging, where you can roll out of bed and walk to the start line, or it’s the beautiful packet pick up/expo location overseeing the Beaver Island Ferry and gorgeous Round Lake. Maybe it’s the great dining before and after the race in historic downtown. The course ventures through beautiful Charlevoix neighborhoods, around our ski mountain “Mount McSauba”, down the tree lined roads, along the lakeshore and then turn around at the vast Little Traverse Bay. The course has just enough running traffic to feel the excitement of a big marathon, without any of the pains of major crowds. Whatever your reason, come be our guest at one of the best marathons in the United States!
All Charlevoix Marathon events start and end in beautiful downtown Charlevoix, Michigan. Charlevoix is perched on an isthmus between Lake Michigan and Round Lake and is a northern Michigan community known as “Charlevoix the Beautiful” spreading out onto the shores of Lake Charlevoix. Nothing beats Charlevoix in terms of natural beauty; it has the look and feel of an 18th Century resort community.
With this said, the staging area for Charlevoix is the beautiful downtown area of Charlevoix on Michigan Ave. and W. Dixon, one—half block north of the drawbridge. All courses will take you through fantastic residential tree lined neighborhoods. The course is primarily flat, fast shaded most of the way, with a few inclines. The Marathon course has a few inclines and a hill at about the 7 mile marker. You can expect a very scenic race with some of the most breathtaking views available on any course. The Marathon and Half Marathon participants will run onto the bike trail.
In addition to its scenery, the Marathon is a Boston qualifying race. The Marathon and Half Marathon courses are certified and insured by USATF!
To insure the safety of our athletes, the Charlevoix City Police, Charlevoix Sheriff’s Department, Charlevoix Chamber and Emmett County Sheriff’s Departments are very helpful, supportive and want you to enjoy a safe and enjoyable race.
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Lakeshore Wonder
This is a small, well done race along the shores of Lake Michigan. The same crew has been putting on the race since inception (17 years), and it shows. Everything … MORE
This is a small, well done race along the shores of Lake Michigan. The same crew has been putting on the race since inception (17 years), and it shows. Everything is well executed, and it’s just a fun time. Swag is a great value, and there is even bacon on the course. Excellent weekend event for everyone.
Great course and route to run
Great race with lots of scenic views. Nice course. Only problem was with parking on day of race. According to the homepage, the city of Charlevoix was not going to … MORE
Great race with lots of scenic views. Nice course.
Only problem was with parking on day of race. According to the homepage, the city of Charlevoix was not going to enforce metered spots until 12:01 pm. Upon returning to my car, guess what was on the windshield, yep a parking ticket. Several other runners cars also had tickets. Had to make 2 appeals before the city finally voided it. City and race people need to be on same page
good small race with flat course
staggered start for the half and full with roughly 1000 total runners combined led to an open running field and no crowds. The start/finish location at the edge of a … MORE
staggered start for the half and full with roughly 1000 total runners combined led to an open running field and no crowds.
The start/finish location at the edge of a charming lakeside town was pretty marvelous.
Pace groups go up to 5 hrs so if you are a back of the pack runner, be aware it can get lonely if you are outside that range.
Things to watch out for:
1. med tent at start/finish only. Would be nice to have one at the marathon turnaround.
2. Not much in terms of finish line nutrition. stay close, shower, enjoy lunch at one of the several restaurants instead.
Charlevoix...close to perfect!
I've come to enjoy the smaller venues that don't have congested logistical issues, so Charlevoix was a perfect small town for us. My better half and I thoroughly enjoyed walking … MORE
I’ve come to enjoy the smaller venues that don’t have congested logistical issues, so Charlevoix was a perfect small town for us. My better half and I thoroughly enjoyed walking around town and visiting the quaint local stores and eateries. Mackinac Island is a day trip away and really a worthwhile visit. 2023 was the 17th year for the Marathon, and it is a very well oiled machine at this point. Everything is very well organized. Appreciate that they do a 6AM start for the Marathon, because it is the 3rd weekend in June. 45 degrees F at start and about 60 at the finish was about perfect and is usually the case, looking at the historical weather. The course itself is flat and fast with just two mentionable hills that I remember. (9.5 and 25) But they certainly are not horrible. Tips: There is a cool little drawbridge in town right near the start that operates continuously on the half hour. The course is designed to start just north of the bridge and is an out n back mostly with all of it north of the bridge, so we stayed just north in a nice BnB, just .1 mile from the Start/Finish. So Convenient and easy!
Gradual hills, lake breezes were awesome
Some long hills, but they were gradual and great going down. Lake views, scenic. Lots of shade and cool breezes. Water stations appropriately placed. We were worried the trail along … MORE
Some long hills, but they were gradual and great going down. Lake views, scenic. Lots of shade and cool breezes. Water stations appropriately placed. We were worried the trail along the highway would get crowded, but it didn’t. Plenty of room. No lines at portapotties in the race. Friendly spectators, though not tons of onlookers until the end. Downhill finish with people cheering you in. The last mile was downhill and a great way to finish strong.
No swag other than a shirt.
Free parking, not crowded. Packet pickup was a breeze. Some bananas and packaged food, water and chocolate milk offered at the end. Coffee for sale.
Great places to eat afterward.
beautiful, laid-back small town race
This was the most beautiful scenery of any race I have ever ran! If you love small-town races and a relaxed vibe, this is the race for you. The 10k … MORE
This was the most beautiful scenery of any race I have ever ran! If you love small-town races and a relaxed vibe, this is the race for you. The 10k had about 2 gradual inclines, but it’s an out-and-back course, so what goes up…
Needs to pay attention to details.
1. LUKEWARM WATER AT THE FINISH. I finished around 4:45 (so not that slow, right?) and found a plastic children's pool with water bottles floating in it. No ice, just … MORE
1. LUKEWARM WATER AT THE FINISH.
I finished around 4:45 (so not that slow, right?) and found a plastic children’s pool with water bottles floating in it. No ice, just water warmed by the rising temperatures. The water in the bottles was lukewarm. Really? The day had gotten warm and I got a room-temperature bottle of water?
2. NO FINISH LINE ENERGY/NO FOOD.
Basically no post-race party. No food provided post-race. If there had been food, I didn’t see it or no one took the time to direct me to it.
3. APATHY.
A bored teenager handed me my medal. Didn’t even look at me. No congratulations from anyone. Medal was still in the cheap plastic wrapping with the “Made in China” sticker attached. I am not often nonplussed, but this was one of those moments. I got in my car and drove back to DC.
The course was stunning. But the production missed on several cylinders. Basically lacking warmth or human connection.
Perfection!
* Loved the morning pickup of bib, easy parking situation. * Loved the on-time smooth start of the marathon at 6:00 AM (half at 6:30). * Loved the out-and-back course … MORE
* Loved the morning pickup of bib, easy parking situation.
* Loved the on-time smooth start of the marathon at 6:00 AM (half at 6:30).
* Loved the out-and-back course on mostly a bike path. Little elevation change, shade plentiful, views lovely (usually birch/pine trees, with some lake views at times).
* Loved, loved, loved the long-sleeve pink shirt and the huge medal.
* Loved the fact that all water stops all had GU (mine was confiscated by TSA–sob).
* Loved that I ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT for like the 2nd time (this was my 46th marathon). Weather was nice, size of the race was nice, and I was never really out of sight of other runners except briefly after the half turnaround (mile seven or so).
The only negative is that the town of Charlevoix is far from a major airport! But it is worth the trip–it’s super cute, plenty of lovely lunch spots.
Nice hidden gem of a race!!
The Charlevoix area is a hidden gem. Scenic and friendly. The race was well organized, the course was scenic, with great views of the lake almost the entire way, nothing … MORE
The Charlevoix area is a hidden gem. Scenic and friendly. The race was well organized, the course was scenic, with great views of the lake almost the entire way, nothing suprising or difficult. Decent aid stations. If you are looking for a northern Michigan race, this is a great option.
My Signature Running Event
Although I have done this event all but the first year, I still look forward to it every year. The course has only one real hill on it and you … MORE
Although I have done this event all but the first year, I still look forward to it every year. The course has only one real hill on it and you get to run along the boardwalk on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Now that the start is a little earlier, it helps with the heat of the day coming back on the out and back course. I personally like this as I can cheer other runners on. It’s a small town race so not a lot of support on the course, but if you are traveling with someone, it is VERY easy for them to support you on the course. You pass fully stocked aid stations on the way out so you know where to expect them on the way back. On hot days the fire station sets up sprinklers for those runners who chose to cool off during the event. The finish is downhill (REALLY downhill at very end) right in the middle of town so you can see the drawbridge and boats. Many opportunities for fabulous race and post race photos. This family run event treats all the runners as family. Nice event shirts and medals and great post race food with pizza, chips … all the stuff you don’t feel guilty eating after a long run! This past year they went 5 awards deep in 5 year age groups so many middle of the road runners got an opportunity to podium. Great small town race that I look forward to every year!
Charlevoix is a small-town joy!
If you favor small-town races with scenic views and enthusiastic volunteers, then Charlevoix should probably be included on your bucket list. The outdoor expo is staged on the green overlooking … MORE
If you favor small-town races with scenic views and enthusiastic volunteers, then Charlevoix should probably be included on your bucket list. The outdoor expo is staged on the green overlooking the port basin, right next to the iconic drawbridge over the channel and adjoining Charlevoix Brewing. The race instructions made several mentions of the drawbridge being raised every half hour and to be SURE to be at the starting line BEFORE 6:30 AM. Prudent advice, as the starting line is on one side of the bridge and the porta-johns on the other. Woe to the runner that opts for a last-minute biological break only to be separated from the starting gun. Kudos to the sweet ladies at Mile 4 that were dispensing bacon from a stainless steel bowl. (Bacon is marathon manna and trumps GU every time!) Nearly 16 miles of the course consists of an out & back trail along Lake Michigan, so there are plenty of scenic views and cool breezes from the lake. At Mile 5, runners will encounter an elevated plank bridge that extends for 0.75 miles over a wetlands area. It’s easy on the eyes and legs going out, but can be a convection oven on the return trip at Mile 21. Several of the aid stations offered large buckets of Twizzlers (“For the team……Go team!”), which is a favorite fuel of the Slow Juan.
After the race, treat yourself to a cold brew-with-a-view on the Charlevoix Brewery patio. If you manage to make your way to Traverse City, be sure to catch a meal at one of its excellent brewpubs; North Peak Brewery in a century-old warehouse downtown or the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery along scenic Peninsula Drive of the Old Mission Peninsula. There are dozens of wineries in the immediate Traverse City area as well. Three that I can personally recommend would be Bonobo, Black Star and Mara, all located on the Old Mission Peninsula.
Charlevoix and Traverse City have exceptional dining and drinking options. And if you can’t enjoy your “race-cation” there, well…….you’re probably doing it wrong!
Small town race
Small race of 1900 participants across 4 distance categories. Nice scenary for the most part as you run alongside Lake Michigan. Not much crowd to cheer you so watch out … MORE
Small race of 1900 participants across 4 distance categories. Nice scenary for the most part as you run alongside Lake Michigan. Not much crowd to cheer you so watch out for that if you are expecting one. Finish area food was ok