Overall Rating
Overall Rating (12 Reviews)
4.3
(12 Ratings)  (12 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
1.7
SCENERY
4.4
PRODUCTION
3.9
SWAG
3.2
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 … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Jun 15):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  55  86  72  66  60
L (°F)  52  67  56  45  50
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Recent reviews

    Profile photo of John Pitzel
    slomojohn FIRST-TIMER '23

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

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    Shak FIRST-TIMER '23

    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

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    2

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    jdallas FIRST-TIMER '23

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    Profile photo of Todd Rose
    todd17406 FIRST-TIMER '23

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    hacanrun FIRST-TIMER '22

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    2

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    EBMcNally FIRST-TIMER '22

    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…

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

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    Doogster FIRST-TIMER '21

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    1
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    1

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    runvirginia FIRST-TIMER '21

    * 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.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    dwhitehorse FIRST-TIMER '19

    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.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

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    nkrusic REPEAT RUNNER '19

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

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    SlowJuan FIRST-TIMER '19

    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!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

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    ramaduraiv FIRST-TIMER '17

    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

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    3
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

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