Pictured Rocks Road Race

The Pictured Rocks Road Race will be held in the picturesque town of Munising, Michigan, the gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The race features a 1/2 marathon and 10k route that travels along a combination of paved roads and two-track trails. The race starts and ends in the heart of Munising at Bayshore Park on the southern shores of Lake Superior. From the start you head west out of town on the road towards Tourist Park Campground, at which point you head south onto a two-track road that brings you up onto the hill that overlooks the west side of town. The 10k route cuts back down the hill towards town and Bayshore Park while the 1/2 marathon continues atop the hill weaving through the surrounding forest until returning back to town down St. Martin’s Hill. The 1/2 Marathon course continues across town to Cemetery Hill and tours through the east end of Munising until returning to Bayshore Park.

Runners will receive a tee shirt, pre and post race snacks, and a bag full of race swag. Runners finishing in the top three of their age division will receive trophy rocks. These are coveted among previous race winners.

Started in 1976 by local women’s sports and running pioneer Norma Harger, the race originally was an 11-mile road race through Munising and the roads near the shore, and was described as both challenging, forgiving and tremendous fun for both participants and volunteers. It was nearly abandoned on multiple occasions, but has since experienced a bit of a rebirth. The Munising Bay Trail Network, a Munising non-profit organization, took over for the 2016 race with the hopes to grow and expand the race. The MBTN’s goal is to promote trail usage, outdoor exploration, and local community growth. Currently the MBTN is building single track, multi-use trail a multiple locations around Munising with the hopes of creating other ways individuals can get outside.