Freighter Festival of Races
- Date Sat 29th March 2025
- Time 8:00AM EDT
- Location Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
- Price $38.10 - $64.60
- Races 3 races
- Distances 5km, Half Marathon
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exciting day of running and community celebration at the inaugural Freighter Festival of Races on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in beautiful Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa! This vibrant event kicks off the shipping season as freighters pass through the iconic Soo Locks. Participants can choose from a 5K Run, 5K Walk, or a challenging Half Marathon, all starting and finishing near Avery Square. The races will begin at 8:00 AM, with scenic courses that run along the stunning St. Mary's River, offering breathtaking views of the freighters in action.
After crossing the finish line, join in on the fun at the vendor and craft show running from 8 AM to 1 PM, where you can discover unique local crafts and goodies. With a limited number of 200 participants, be sure to register early to secure your spot in this not-to-miss event! All finishers will receive a unique freighter medal, and awards will be presented for various age categories. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to kick off the running season and embrace the spirit of community in Sault Ste. Marie!
After crossing the finish line, join in on the fun at the vendor and craft show running from 8 AM to 1 PM, where you can discover unique local crafts and goodies. With a limited number of 200 participants, be sure to register early to secure your spot in this not-to-miss event! All finishers will receive a unique freighter medal, and awards will be presented for various age categories. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to kick off the running season and embrace the spirit of community in Sault Ste. Marie!
Organiser's Description
SELLS OUT AT 200 PARTICIPANTS, NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION
RESULTS LINK [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 inaugural Freighter Festival of Races complete with a vendor/craft show inside Avery Square in downtown Sault Sainte Marie! There will be a 5K Run, 5K Walk, and Half Marathon Run starting and finishing near Avery Square. The races will start at 8:00am (*Updated 12/16/24). The courses will run East along the St. Mary's River to catch some views of upbound and downbound freighters! After your races enjoy a unique craft show from 8am-1pm.
AVERY SQUARE ADDRESS
501 Ashmun Street, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, 49783
5K RUN AND 5K WALK REGISTRATION PRICES
2024 - $20
January 2025 - $25
February 2025 - $30
March 1 to March 27 - $35 (MARCH 9 LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT CUTOFF)
March 28 until 8pm - $40
HALF MARATHON PRICES:
2024 - $40
January 2025 - $50
February 2025 - $55
March 1 to March 27 - $60 (MARCH 9 T-SHIRT CUTOFF)
March 28 until 8pm - $65
LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT CUTOFF: March 9, $15.00/Long Sleeve T-Shirt. If you do not meet the T-Shirt Cutoff, Select Size T-Shirts will be for sale at packet pickup.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP: There will be an early packet pickup at Avery Square from 4-7pm on Friday. Arrive early to pick up your bib and t-shirt. Additional t-shirts available for purchase.
RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP: Race Day Packet Pickup will be available from 6:30 - 7:45am at Avery Square inside the main lobby. Parking is located along the alley parking lot to the west of Avery Square and is free on Saturdays. There is also on street parking throughout downtown.
AWARDS (5K RUN, 5K WALK, AND HALF-MARATHON) All participants will receive a unique freighter medal. T-Shirts are available to purchase with online registration up to March 10th. If you miss the cutoff there will be select sizes available for purchase at packet pickup.
Overall Award for Gender, Masters, and Grand Masters: Unique Freighter Themed Craft from Local Vendor
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 from craft vendors!
HOTELS: Please check the following website for a list of lodging options. We do not currently have a partner hotel for the race. Adoba Lockview and Hotel Ojibway are hotels that are close to the start. There are many other hotels within several miles of downtown. Sault Sainte Marie Hotels and Motels [https://saultstemarie.com/places-to-stay/hotels-motels-condos/]
AID STATIONS: There will be 5 aid stations with water and Gatorade throughout the half-marathon course. Aid Stations will be located at:
Aid Station 1 and 5 (MCM Marine): 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 (Nicolet just before 5 mile road): 6.55 mile mark (half-marathon turnaround).
VOLUNTEERS: We will need volunteers for packet pickup (filled), aid stations (filled), traffic intersections/turns, and awards table. Free or discounted entries for current or future races available. Email yooperrunning@gmail.com
RESULTS LINK [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 inaugural Freighter Festival of Races complete with a vendor/craft show inside Avery Square in downtown Sault Sainte Marie! There will be a 5K Run, 5K Walk, and Half Marathon Run starting and finishing near Avery Square. The races will start at 8:00am (*Updated 12/16/24). The courses will run East along the St. Mary's River to catch some views of upbound and downbound freighters! After your races enjoy a unique craft show from 8am-1pm.
AVERY SQUARE ADDRESS
501 Ashmun Street, Sault Sainte Marie, MI, 49783
5K RUN AND 5K WALK REGISTRATION PRICES
2024 - $20
January 2025 - $25
February 2025 - $30
March 1 to March 27 - $35 (MARCH 9 LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT CUTOFF)
March 28 until 8pm - $40
HALF MARATHON PRICES:
2024 - $40
January 2025 - $50
February 2025 - $55
March 1 to March 27 - $60 (MARCH 9 T-SHIRT CUTOFF)
March 28 until 8pm - $65
LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT CUTOFF: March 9, $15.00/Long Sleeve T-Shirt. If you do not meet the T-Shirt Cutoff, Select Size T-Shirts will be for sale at packet pickup.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP: There will be an early packet pickup at Avery Square from 4-7pm on Friday. Arrive early to pick up your bib and t-shirt. Additional t-shirts available for purchase.
RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP: Race Day Packet Pickup will be available from 6:30 - 7:45am at Avery Square inside the main lobby. Parking is located along the alley parking lot to the west of Avery Square and is free on Saturdays. There is also on street parking throughout downtown.
AWARDS (5K RUN, 5K WALK, AND HALF-MARATHON) All participants will receive a unique freighter medal. T-Shirts are available to purchase with online registration up to March 10th. If you miss the cutoff there will be select sizes available for purchase at packet pickup.
Overall Award for Gender, Masters, and Grand Masters: Unique Freighter Themed Craft from Local Vendor
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 from craft vendors!
HOTELS: Please check the following website for a list of lodging options. We do not currently have a partner hotel for the race. Adoba Lockview and Hotel Ojibway are hotels that are close to the start. There are many other hotels within several miles of downtown. Sault Sainte Marie Hotels and Motels [https://saultstemarie.com/places-to-stay/hotels-motels-condos/]
AID STATIONS: There will be 5 aid stations with water and Gatorade throughout the half-marathon course. Aid Stations will be located at:
Aid Station 1 and 5 (MCM Marine): 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 (Nicolet just before 5 mile road): 6.55 mile mark (half-marathon turnaround).
VOLUNTEERS: We will need volunteers for packet pickup (filled), aid stations (filled), traffic intersections/turns, and awards table. Free or discounted entries for current or future races available. Email yooperrunning@gmail.com
Freighter Festival of Races
