Top of Michigan Festival of Races
- Date Fri 22nd May 2026 - Sat 23rd May 2026
- Time 9:30AM EDT
- Location Petoskey, Michigan
- Price Free - $96.90
- Races 4 races
- Distances Half Marathon, 10km, 5km
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating weekend at the Top of Michigan Festival of Races, happening from May 22nd to May 23rd, 2026, in the picturesque town of Petoskey, Emmet County. This exciting event features a range of race distances, including a challenging Half Marathon, a scenic 10K, and a fun-filled 5K, all starting and finishing at the stunning Bayfront Park along the Little Traverse Bay. Runners will enjoy the mostly paved course, which offers breathtaking views and a few off-road sections for a touch of adventure.
Kick off the festivities with a special Shake Out Run on Friday, May 22nd, at 9:30 am in Charlevoix, hosted by Asics and the Charlevoix Running Company. On Saturday morning, the races will begin with the Half Marathon starting at 7:30 am, followed by the 10K at 8:00 am and the 5K at 8:15 am. Participants will receive refreshments, finisher medals, and a stylish T-shirt. Don’t miss this chance to support the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Petoskey High School Track and Cross Country teams while enjoying a fantastic running experience amidst
Kick off the festivities with a special Shake Out Run on Friday, May 22nd, at 9:30 am in Charlevoix, hosted by Asics and the Charlevoix Running Company. On Saturday morning, the races will begin with the Half Marathon starting at 7:30 am, followed by the 10K at 8:00 am and the 5K at 8:15 am. Participants will receive refreshments, finisher medals, and a stylish T-shirt. Don’t miss this chance to support the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Petoskey High School Track and Cross Country teams while enjoying a fantastic running experience amidst
Organiser's Description
Top of Michigan Festival of Races includes a series of races that benefit the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Petoskey High School Track and Cross Country teams.
The course is run along the Little Traverse Wheelway, a non-motorized trail that runs from Charlevoix, through Petoskey/Bay Harbor and onto Harbor Springs. This year, our course will be out and backs from Petoskey's waterfront. The trail is an excellent venue for runners. The trail is relatively flat and has spectacular views of the Little Traverse Bay. Please note that there are a few off road sections of this route, on grass and dirt.
The Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k start and end in Petoskey. The course is mostly paved, with some sections on grass and a short section on trail, connecting into the Petoskey State Park for the 10k and Half Marathon.
NEW THIS YEAR - Shake Out Run with Asics and Charlevoix Running Company
Date: Friday, May 22nd at 9:30 am
Location: 327 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
2026 Courses are as follows:
- 5k Course [https://app.racedaymap.com/top-of-michigan-festival-of-races] (toggle to 5k)
- 10k Course & Half Marathon Course [https://app.racedaymap.com/top-of-michigan-festival-of-races]
EVENT INFORMATION:
EVENT DATE:
Saturday, May 23, 2026
EVENT LOCATION:
Lime Kiln Kids Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park, Petoskey, MI 49770
EVENT TIMES:
* Friday Packet Pickup - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Petoskey Bayfront Park - Ed White Filed Resource Center - look for the registration sgins!
* Saturday Packet Pickup - 6:30 am to 7:15 am @ Lim Kiln Kid's Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park
* Half Marathon Race Begins - 7:30 am
* 10K Race Begins - 8:00 am
* 5K Race Begins - 8:15 am
* Awards - TBD
REGISTRATION FEES:
* Half - $70 Early Registration
* 10K - $45 Early Registration
* 5K - $30 Early Registration
* All races will have price increases on February 15, 2026, and again April 15, 2026
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
* Refreshments
* Finisher Medals
* Top Male/Female Awards
* T-Shirt (cut off May 12th)
Parking Options:
- There are three parking lots along Bayfront Drive open to the public. Please do not use the marina parking lot.
- The park above the bluff (Sunset Park) has a few parking spots available.
- Our friends at Kilwins have offered parking in a portion of their parking lots. This map shows two sections (1&2) available for runners [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gZVbSCQjmbdIlkiRVyEFfUsstA7zaeSS/view?usp=sharing].
Allow for enough time to park and walk to the start line.
The course is run along the Little Traverse Wheelway, a non-motorized trail that runs from Charlevoix, through Petoskey/Bay Harbor and onto Harbor Springs. This year, our course will be out and backs from Petoskey's waterfront. The trail is an excellent venue for runners. The trail is relatively flat and has spectacular views of the Little Traverse Bay. Please note that there are a few off road sections of this route, on grass and dirt.
The Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k start and end in Petoskey. The course is mostly paved, with some sections on grass and a short section on trail, connecting into the Petoskey State Park for the 10k and Half Marathon.
NEW THIS YEAR - Shake Out Run with Asics and Charlevoix Running Company
Date: Friday, May 22nd at 9:30 am
Location: 327 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720
2026 Courses are as follows:
- 5k Course [https://app.racedaymap.com/top-of-michigan-festival-of-races] (toggle to 5k)
- 10k Course & Half Marathon Course [https://app.racedaymap.com/top-of-michigan-festival-of-races]
EVENT INFORMATION:
EVENT DATE:
Saturday, May 23, 2026
EVENT LOCATION:
Lime Kiln Kids Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park, Petoskey, MI 49770
EVENT TIMES:
* Friday Packet Pickup - 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Petoskey Bayfront Park - Ed White Filed Resource Center - look for the registration sgins!
* Saturday Packet Pickup - 6:30 am to 7:15 am @ Lim Kiln Kid's Fishing Pier, Bayfront Park
* Half Marathon Race Begins - 7:30 am
* 10K Race Begins - 8:00 am
* 5K Race Begins - 8:15 am
* Awards - TBD
REGISTRATION FEES:
* Half - $70 Early Registration
* 10K - $45 Early Registration
* 5K - $30 Early Registration
* All races will have price increases on February 15, 2026, and again April 15, 2026
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
* Refreshments
* Finisher Medals
* Top Male/Female Awards
* T-Shirt (cut off May 12th)
Parking Options:
- There are three parking lots along Bayfront Drive open to the public. Please do not use the marina parking lot.
- The park above the bluff (Sunset Park) has a few parking spots available.
- Our friends at Kilwins have offered parking in a portion of their parking lots. This map shows two sections (1&2) available for runners [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gZVbSCQjmbdIlkiRVyEFfUsstA7zaeSS/view?usp=sharing].
Allow for enough time to park and walk to the start line.
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Bayfront Dr., Bayfront Park - Lime Kiln Kid's Fishing Pier, Petoskey, 49770, MI, United States
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