| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
| H (°F) | 87 | 71 | 72 | 74 | 75 |
| L (°F) | 59 | 65 | 61 | 65 | 63 |
Be prepared for an ornery RD, a 32 mile course for the 50k, and unmaintained out and backs. Aid stations had electrolytes, water, and gu. The last one did have … MORE
Be prepared for an ornery RD, a 32 mile course for the 50k, and unmaintained out and backs. Aid stations had electrolytes, water, and gu. The last one did have M&M’s! Volunteers were great! Swag was minimal. One to check off my list and move on.
Please login to reply to this review.
Well run, small, nature filled race with easy logistics and great course. Many hotels to choose from and the bus hits almost all. If you stay at the Holiday Inn … MORE
Well run, small, nature filled race with easy logistics and great course.
Many hotels to choose from and the bus hits almost all. If you stay at the Holiday Inn you can walk to the ferry 0.5 Mile. “Ferry” takes 30 people at a time and they were on point. Busses were also. Most of the races is on packed gravel road, last 3 miles is a true double track trail. Everything was graded, a few puddles but easy running comparatively. (EXECPT FOR THE MILE YOU RUN ON THE BEACH) Aid stations were good, staffed with competent nice people. Nice shirt, nice medal. Loved doing this race!
Please login to reply to this review.
The race was very well organized. Very glad I had the opportunity to run in this race. The age placed blown glass medals are very nice, but the regular medals … MORE
The race was very well organized. Very glad I had the opportunity to run in this race. The age placed blown glass medals are very nice, but the regular medals look pretty cheap and appear to stay the same every year.
Please login to reply to this review.
The Great Lakes Endurance races hold several events on Grand Island every year. This year they held a 50K, a Marathon and a Half Marathon. I was a first timer … MORE
The Great Lakes Endurance races hold several events on Grand Island every year. This year they held a 50K, a Marathon and a Half Marathon. I was a first timer and ran the Half Marathon portion of the event. The races are limited to 500 entries and it appeared to be a full event.
The 50K started at 6:00 AM, the Marathon at 7:00 and the Half at 8:00. All runners were picked up by shuttle at various locations in town. Then we were brought to a dock and ferried by water taxi to the Island in groups. The entry fee covered cost of the shuttle and the ferry.
At the Island we waited in a building for the race to start. It was raining pretty hard so most people stayed in as long as they could. There was a bag storage area in the building but it was billed as not supervised.
At the gun there was still light rain but ut cleared up wthin the first mile. The course is stunning. It was well marked with flags indicating direction for each of the races. The Island is on Lake Superior and at about mile 5 you run a mile on the beach! The views are truly spectacular throughout the course. The Island is a federally protected area so the water stops did not have cups. You must carry at least a 20 ounce bottle to start the race and have the bottle when you cross the finish line. There are several outhouses on the course but the only water stops are at mile 4 and 9.
There is about 800 feet of elevation gain and it is primarily one long hill. The rest is flat and there is a long down hill on the back half or the course. It was not my fastest race because i ran with a partner who needed encouragement, and coaching along the way, so we took our time.
The medal for the half is made of wood and is very nice. The food consisted of bananas, home made fig newtons and some other fruit.
I would highly recommend this race, but get your hotel reservations early because it is a small town and the rooms fill up fast.
Please login to reply to this review.
This race is without a doubt a contender for my all-time favorite marathon. This race takes place on a small island in Lake Michigan near Munising. A small ferry boat … MORE
This race is without a doubt a contender for my all-time favorite marathon.
This race takes place on a small island in Lake Michigan near Munising. A small ferry boat takes you to the island (the island is a National Recreation Area, managed by the National Parks Service). There are no paved roads, no vehicles (except for a spectator bus) no crowds/buildings/etc. This is a very small race.
COURSE: The course mostly circles the islands’ shore with one section that runs literally in the water along the beach. (the “beach” was maybe 2 feet of sand with small waves crashing on your feet.) All dirt or gravel roads. Sections of soft mud to. It’s not at all technical so trail shoes aren’t necessary. There were some hills but nothing difficult. The views throughout the course were spectacular. You could see a nice view of Lake Michigan and the shoreline.
The aid stations were well placed and well stocked. The finish line had several “natural” choices for snacks. (Granola, fruit, etc. No pizza or sandwiches-this is a “leave no trace” race. You are required to carry a bottle to refill. No cups at aid stations).
THE BEST PART: Is was warm that day. The lake water is crystal clear and was VERY REFRESHING to sit in and cool off. We probably sat in the water for an hour watching other runners finish and watching the ferry take finishers back to the mainland.
We did the Pictured Rocks boat tour the day before. The UP is a very beautiful area. I had no idea!
Definitely a race and an area that I will be back to!
Please login to reply to this review.
Fun trail marathon in Northern Michigan. It requires a short boat ride to race start on Grand island. Some pretty views of Lake Superior along the course. Some short hills … MORE
Fun trail marathon in Northern Michigan. It requires a short boat ride to race start on Grand island.
Some pretty views of Lake Superior along the course. Some short hills but nothing too technical. Enjoyed the pictured rocks boat tour the day before the race.
Please login to reply to this review.
The race with alot of potential
Be prepared for an ornery RD, a 32 mile course for the 50k, and unmaintained out and backs. Aid stations had electrolytes, water, and gu. The last one did have … MORE
Be prepared for an ornery RD, a 32 mile course for the 50k, and unmaintained out and backs. Aid stations had electrolytes, water, and gu. The last one did have M&M’s! Volunteers were great! Swag was minimal. One to check off my list and move on.
My kind of race!
Well run, small, nature filled race with easy logistics and great course. Many hotels to choose from and the bus hits almost all. If you stay at the Holiday Inn … MORE
Well run, small, nature filled race with easy logistics and great course.
Many hotels to choose from and the bus hits almost all. If you stay at the Holiday Inn you can walk to the ferry 0.5 Mile. “Ferry” takes 30 people at a time and they were on point. Busses were also. Most of the races is on packed gravel road, last 3 miles is a true double track trail. Everything was graded, a few puddles but easy running comparatively. (EXECPT FOR THE MILE YOU RUN ON THE BEACH) Aid stations were good, staffed with competent nice people. Nice shirt, nice medal. Loved doing this race!
Great scenery enjoyed the race!
The race was very well organized. Very glad I had the opportunity to run in this race. The age placed blown glass medals are very nice, but the regular medals … MORE
The race was very well organized. Very glad I had the opportunity to run in this race. The age placed blown glass medals are very nice, but the regular medals look pretty cheap and appear to stay the same every year.
Beautiful Scenery a Race to Remember
The Great Lakes Endurance races hold several events on Grand Island every year. This year they held a 50K, a Marathon and a Half Marathon. I was a first timer … MORE
The Great Lakes Endurance races hold several events on Grand Island every year. This year they held a 50K, a Marathon and a Half Marathon. I was a first timer and ran the Half Marathon portion of the event. The races are limited to 500 entries and it appeared to be a full event.
The 50K started at 6:00 AM, the Marathon at 7:00 and the Half at 8:00. All runners were picked up by shuttle at various locations in town. Then we were brought to a dock and ferried by water taxi to the Island in groups. The entry fee covered cost of the shuttle and the ferry.
At the Island we waited in a building for the race to start. It was raining pretty hard so most people stayed in as long as they could. There was a bag storage area in the building but it was billed as not supervised.
At the gun there was still light rain but ut cleared up wthin the first mile. The course is stunning. It was well marked with flags indicating direction for each of the races. The Island is on Lake Superior and at about mile 5 you run a mile on the beach! The views are truly spectacular throughout the course. The Island is a federally protected area so the water stops did not have cups. You must carry at least a 20 ounce bottle to start the race and have the bottle when you cross the finish line. There are several outhouses on the course but the only water stops are at mile 4 and 9.
There is about 800 feet of elevation gain and it is primarily one long hill. The rest is flat and there is a long down hill on the back half or the course. It was not my fastest race because i ran with a partner who needed encouragement, and coaching along the way, so we took our time.
The medal for the half is made of wood and is very nice. The food consisted of bananas, home made fig newtons and some other fruit.
I would highly recommend this race, but get your hotel reservations early because it is a small town and the rooms fill up fast.
Currently in my Top 2 favorite marathons
This race is without a doubt a contender for my all-time favorite marathon. This race takes place on a small island in Lake Michigan near Munising. A small ferry boat … MORE
This race is without a doubt a contender for my all-time favorite marathon.
This race takes place on a small island in Lake Michigan near Munising. A small ferry boat takes you to the island (the island is a National Recreation Area, managed by the National Parks Service). There are no paved roads, no vehicles (except for a spectator bus) no crowds/buildings/etc. This is a very small race.
COURSE: The course mostly circles the islands’ shore with one section that runs literally in the water along the beach. (the “beach” was maybe 2 feet of sand with small waves crashing on your feet.) All dirt or gravel roads. Sections of soft mud to. It’s not at all technical so trail shoes aren’t necessary. There were some hills but nothing difficult. The views throughout the course were spectacular. You could see a nice view of Lake Michigan and the shoreline.
The aid stations were well placed and well stocked. The finish line had several “natural” choices for snacks. (Granola, fruit, etc. No pizza or sandwiches-this is a “leave no trace” race. You are required to carry a bottle to refill. No cups at aid stations).
THE BEST PART: Is was warm that day. The lake water is crystal clear and was VERY REFRESHING to sit in and cool off. We probably sat in the water for an hour watching other runners finish and watching the ferry take finishers back to the mainland.
We did the Pictured Rocks boat tour the day before. The UP is a very beautiful area. I had no idea!
Definitely a race and an area that I will be back to!
Scenic island trail in Northern Michigan
Fun trail marathon in Northern Michigan. It requires a short boat ride to race start on Grand island. Some pretty views of Lake Superior along the course. Some short hills … MORE
Fun trail marathon in Northern Michigan. It requires a short boat ride to race start on Grand island.
Some pretty views of Lake Superior along the course. Some short hills but nothing too technical. Enjoyed the pictured rocks boat tour the day before the race.