The Waugoshance Trail course follows a remarkable section of the North Country Trail that travels from Cross Village to Mackinaw City in the far northwestern region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The course features over 90% single track and includes rolling bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, coastal forests, inland wilderness lakes. The …
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The Waugoshance Trail course follows a remarkable section of the North Country Trail that travels from Cross Village to Mackinaw City in the far northwestern region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The course features over 90% single track and includes rolling bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, coastal forests, inland wilderness lakes. The marathon relay features two 13.1 mile legs. The half marathon starts near Goose Pond in Wilderness State Park.
Run a beautiful single track route from Cross Village to Mackinaw City in northern Michigan. The marathon starts at Wycamp Lake and winds up and along the Sturgeon Bay bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. 50K runners will depart from the course for a 5 mile route up the gorgeous and highly runable Sturgeon Bay Trail. After this scenic detour they will rejoin the marathon course and descend into wildflower blanketed lowlands before arriving at Goose Pond. This is the half way point and the start of the Half Marathon. The next six miles feature pine needle carpeted trail through rolling forest. The trail opens up as it reaches French Farm Lake, a sandy bottomed wilderness lake with towering pines along the shore. The route follows its shoreline for several miles before runners enter a dense balsam fir forest for 2 miles. The last 3 miles feature a converted rail trail that is flat and smooth. Runners finish at the Mackinaw City School athletic grounds. The course is well marked with colored flags, directional arrows, and mile markers.
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Nice Diversion from Road Marathon
The race description makes it clear. You know what you should expect just from reading the course description. Small field, so not for runners who need crowd support or to … MORE
The race description makes it clear. You know what you should expect just from reading the course description. Small field, so not for runners who need crowd support or to make friends if going solo. Perfect race for me. I prefer running alone, especially when it’s during a HOT month of July – August. Aid stations had basic supplies–but no bananas that I was used to seeing at organized races. I would return, if I didn’t need to finish 10 more States to get them all done.
Well organized trail race
Great Lakes Endurance cares a lot about putting on a great trail race and it shows! From everything from: starting on time, a choice of two different race shirts, nice … MORE
Great Lakes Endurance cares a lot about putting on a great trail race and it shows! From everything from: starting on time, a choice of two different race shirts, nice medals and age group awards (top three in each age group get a Klean Kanteen Steel Pint etched with “Great Lakes Endurance”), nice locally grown/made post race snacks, to even plenty of port o pots at the start and finish, this race had lots of wonderful features. The trail itself was somewhat technical and difficult for someone like me who prefers road racing. But the race is well-run, thoughtful, and everyone there was so nice and supportive. And the location is beautiful and great for vacationing. We spent the following day at Mackinaw Island. I highly recommend!!!
Beautiful Northern Michigan trail race
Great Lakes Endurance puts on really amazing, small trail races. Waugoshance in particular is a beautiful romp through the woods. Very runnable and not too hilly. MORE
Great Lakes Endurance puts on really amazing, small trail races. Waugoshance in particular is a beautiful romp through the woods. Very runnable and not too hilly.
Diamond in the Rough
I can only assume the race directors deliberately keep this race on the down low for some reason, because despite being a Michigan resident and a runner for a dozen … MORE
I can only assume the race directors deliberately keep this race on the down low for some reason, because despite being a Michigan resident and a runner for a dozen years I had never heard of it. Fantastic venue, well supported and organized! Residents from 21 states and Canada somehow heard of it though and were there to share a wonderful experience! Well done GLE!