Escape the daily grind and head to the beautiful Michigan countryside of Hanson Hills Recreation Area, just one hour from Traverse City. Your team will take turns running over two days and one night, relay-style, on three smooth, single-track trails perfect for any runner experience level. You’ll run on lush …
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Escape the daily grind and head to the beautiful Michigan countryside of Hanson Hills Recreation Area, just one hour from Traverse City.
Your team will take turns running over two days and one night, relay-style, on three smooth, single-track trails perfect for any runner experience level. You’ll run on lush forested pine and maple paths, over rolling hills with scenic bluff overviews. At night, let a billion stars overhead (and your headlamp, of course) light your way along the trails.
When you’re not running, you’ll be partying with your team and other runners at Ragnar Village. Think campfire stories, s’mores, live music and even time to roll out those sore legs.
Round up a team of your most adventurous friends for a nature-fueled challenge that will give you memories to last a lifetime.
The 2.8 mile Green Loop (easy) leaves the Village along with the Yellow and Red Loops, and takes you out to the main section on the cross-country ski trails. After a 1/2 of a mile, you’ll split right from Yellow and Red and the single-track adventure begins! You’ll have a bit of climbing over the first mile with a great view overlooking scenic bluffs of Michigan’s forest countryside. The trail has a great flow, leaving you with a fleet feet feel. Before you know it, you’ll re-join Yellow and Red, bomb down the single track, through the camping area and back to the Village.
The 5.6 mile Yellow Loop (intermediate) leaves the Village along with the Green and Red Loops, and takes you out to the main section on the cross-country ski trails. After a 1/2 of a mile, you’ll split right from Green and Red and the single-track adventure begins! Enjoy running over rolling hill and single track lined with beautiful Pines and Maples, a true forest adventure. Before you know it, you’ll re-join Green and Red, bomb down the single track, through the camping area and back to the Village.
The 7.6 mile Red Loop (hard) takes advantage of some of the park’s great single-track trails. Just like all the other loops your climb a discouraging hill right away, but don’t worry, you won’t be down on yourself for long. After reaching the top, splitting from Green and Yellow, get ready to open up your engine on these fast and flowy trails! This loop may be a long one, but you’ll dip and weave your way through this trails making you feel like the fastest runner at this race! Smile, because you’re cruising and never thought a 7 mile trail run could be so much fun! Before you know it, you’ll meet back up with the Green and Yellow Loops on your way back to the Village, smile fully intact thinking that loop was my favorite!
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AMAZING Experience
We had a team of 8 ladies. This was our first Ragnar and first time running as a team. It took us a little longer to run it but we … MORE
We had a team of 8 ladies. This was our first Ragnar and first time running as a team. It took us a little longer to run it but we did it. It was exceptionally warm for MI that weekend but we are from MO so tolerated it ok. Chilly at night though so bring a warm sleeping bag. Everything from sign up to leaving went smoothly. Unloading our vehicle and bringing everything to a camp spot was a bit of work (Next one we are glamping), but it went smoothly with all of us. The course is beautiful scenery. Each loop starts up a hill with sand. We just all opted to walk that each time. I had the joy of running through the woods at 2am and it is just amazing to listen to the night as you run. Lots of roots just high enough to stub your toes on though. I walked a lot of the trail at night and just enjoyed it. My biggest concern was being on the trail and getting hurt. There are not course marshalls and cell signal is spotty so if you are down you are waiting for another runner to get help. We said ‘one and done’ but by the time we were packing up the cars to go home we were planning the next one. Oh, and it was such an amazing bonding experience we are all getting tattoos. LOL. (adding we are a group of women ranging in age from 35-67).
Evening activities included a movie with a bonfire and s’mores. The best part of the trail Ragnar is having the base camp. We all were able to meet our runner and cheer them as they came in and still be able to rest, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.
Really loved it and we will be doing several more Ragnars.