Freighter Festival of Races
- Date Sat 28th March 2026
- Time 9:00AM EDT
- Location Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
- Price $27.50 - $54.00
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km, Half Marathon
Event summary
Join us for the exhilarating 2nd Annual Freighter Festival of Races in downtown Sault Sainte Marie on Saturday, March 28, 2026! This vibrant event celebrates the exciting opening weekend of the shipping season, featuring a scenic 5K Run, a 5K Walk, and a challenging Half Marathon. Runners will set off at 9:00 AM, traversing picturesque courses along the St. Mary's River, where they'll catch stunning views of the majestic freighters navigating the iconic Soo Locks.
The race will kick off from the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours, located at 515 E Portage Ave, conveniently situated next to the Pullar Ice Arena and the Museum Ship Valley Camp. Participants can look forward to a memorable experience, complete with unique finisher medals and the chance to grab a long sleeve t-shirt for an additional cost. With a cap of 200-250 participants, the Freighter Festival of Races promises an intimate and exciting atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to run, walk, and celebrate in the heart of Sault Sainte Marie!
The race will kick off from the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours, located at 515 E Portage Ave, conveniently situated next to the Pullar Ice Arena and the Museum Ship Valley Camp. Participants can look forward to a memorable experience, complete with unique finisher medals and the chance to grab a long sleeve t-shirt for an additional cost. With a cap of 200-250 participants, the Freighter Festival of Races promises an intimate and exciting atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to run, walk, and celebrate in the heart of Sault Sainte Marie!
Organiser's Description
SELLS OUT AT 200-250 PARTICIPANTS (Finalized 4-6 weeks out from race day)
RESULTS LINK 2025 [https://my.raceresult.com/332078/]
Celebrate the opening weekend of the Freighters passing through the Soo Locks for the beginning of the shipping season! Yooper Running Company is hosting the 2nd Annual Freighter Festival of Races in downtown Sault Sainte Marie! There will be a 5K Run, 5K Walk, and Half Marathon Run. The races will start at 9:00am. The courses will run East along the St. Mary's River to catch some views of upbound and downbound freighters! NEW START/FINISH AREA: Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at 515 E Portage Ave next to the Pullar Ice Arena and the Museum Ship Valley Camp.
5K RUN AND 5K WALK REGISTRATION PRICES + OPTION FOR $20 LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT
2025 - $20
January 2026 - $25
February 2026 - $30
March 1 to March 26 - $35
March 27-28 - $40
HALF MARATHON PRICES + OPTION FOR $20 LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT
2025 - $40
January 2026 - $50
February 2026 - $55
March 1 to March 26 - $60
March 27-28 until 8pm - $65
LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT CUTOFF: $20.00/Long Sleeve T-Shirt. Select Size T-Shirts will be for sale at packet pickup.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP: There will be an early packet pickup from 4-7pm on Friday at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours (515 E Portage Ave, SSM, MI, 49783). Arrive early to pick up your bib and t-shirt. Additional t-shirts available for purchase. New in 2026: Pasties from Yooper Pasty on sale during packet pickup!
RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP: Race Day Packet Pickup will be available from 7:30-8:45am near the start/finish area at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at 515 E Portage Ave. There is a large parking lot there!
AWARDS (5K RUN, 5K WALK, AND HALF-MARATHON) All participants will receive a unique freighter medal. Long Sleeve T-Shirts are available to purchase with online registration. There will be select sizes available for purchase at packet pickup.
Overall Award for Gender, Masters, and Grand Masters: Unique Award
Age Group Awards 1st Place: 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+. Award to be announced!
Bib Draw Giveaways: Unique giveaways based on a randomized list.
HOTELS: Please check the following website for a list of lodging options. There are many hotels within several miles of downtown. Sault Sainte Marie Hotels and Motels [https://saultstemarie.com/places-to-stay/hotels-motels-condos/]
RESTROOMS: There are plenty of indoor restrooms available inside the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours Building. Their building is within 50 meters of the start/finish.
AID STATIONS: There will be 5 aid stations with water, Gatorade, and snacks throughout the half-marathon course. Aid Stations will be located at:
Aid Station 1 and 5: 1.55 mile mark (5k turnaround North Side of Road) / 11.55 mile mark (South Side of Road)
Aid Station 2 and 4 (McLeod Residence): 3.1 mile mark (McLeod Northeast Side of Road) / 10 mile mark (McLeod Southwest Side of Road)
Sponsored by Jess Johnston of Five Water Realty [https://www.fivewaterrealty.com/], and Jason McLeod
Aid Station 3: 6.55 mile mark (half-marathon turnaround).
VOLUNTEERS: We will need volunteers for packet pickup (needed), aid stations (LSSU Kinesiology Club), traffic intersections/turns, and awards table. Free or discounted entries for current or future races available. Email [email protected] if interested.
RESULTS LINK 2025 [https://my.raceresult.com/332078/]
Celebrate the opening weekend of the Freighters passing through the Soo Locks for the beginning of the shipping season! Yooper Running Company is hosting the 2nd Annual Freighter Festival of Races in downtown Sault Sainte Marie! There will be a 5K Run, 5K Walk, and Half Marathon Run. The races will start at 9:00am. The courses will run East along the St. Mary's River to catch some views of upbound and downbound freighters! NEW START/FINISH AREA: Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at 515 E Portage Ave next to the Pullar Ice Arena and the Museum Ship Valley Camp.
5K RUN AND 5K WALK REGISTRATION PRICES + OPTION FOR $20 LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT
2025 - $20
January 2026 - $25
February 2026 - $30
March 1 to March 26 - $35
March 27-28 - $40
HALF MARATHON PRICES + OPTION FOR $20 LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT
2025 - $40
January 2026 - $50
February 2026 - $55
March 1 to March 26 - $60
March 27-28 until 8pm - $65
LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT CUTOFF: $20.00/Long Sleeve T-Shirt. Select Size T-Shirts will be for sale at packet pickup.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP: There will be an early packet pickup from 4-7pm on Friday at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours (515 E Portage Ave, SSM, MI, 49783). Arrive early to pick up your bib and t-shirt. Additional t-shirts available for purchase. New in 2026: Pasties from Yooper Pasty on sale during packet pickup!
RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP: Race Day Packet Pickup will be available from 7:30-8:45am near the start/finish area at the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours at 515 E Portage Ave. There is a large parking lot there!
AWARDS (5K RUN, 5K WALK, AND HALF-MARATHON) All participants will receive a unique freighter medal. Long Sleeve T-Shirts are available to purchase with online registration. There will be select sizes available for purchase at packet pickup.
Overall Award for Gender, Masters, and Grand Masters: Unique Award
Age Group Awards 1st Place: 0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+. Award to be announced!
Bib Draw Giveaways: Unique giveaways based on a randomized list.
HOTELS: Please check the following website for a list of lodging options. There are many hotels within several miles of downtown. Sault Sainte Marie Hotels and Motels [https://saultstemarie.com/places-to-stay/hotels-motels-condos/]
RESTROOMS: There are plenty of indoor restrooms available inside the Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours Building. Their building is within 50 meters of the start/finish.
AID STATIONS: There will be 5 aid stations with water, Gatorade, and snacks throughout the half-marathon course. Aid Stations will be located at:
Aid Station 1 and 5: 1.55 mile mark (5k turnaround North Side of Road) / 11.55 mile mark (South Side of Road)
Aid Station 2 and 4 (McLeod Residence): 3.1 mile mark (McLeod Northeast Side of Road) / 10 mile mark (McLeod Southwest Side of Road)
Sponsored by Jess Johnston of Five Water Realty [https://www.fivewaterrealty.com/], and Jason McLeod
Aid Station 3: 6.55 mile mark (half-marathon turnaround).
VOLUNTEERS: We will need volunteers for packet pickup (needed), aid stations (LSSU Kinesiology Club), traffic intersections/turns, and awards table. Free or discounted entries for current or future races available. Email [email protected] if interested.
Races
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515 E Portage Ave, Sault Sainte Marie, 49783, MI, United States
Freighter Festival of Races
