The sold out Sleeping Bear Marathon will kick off October this weekend Saturday.
Runners will be participating in either the marathon (26.2. miles), half marathon, or the 5K (3.1 miles) run/walk. The marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. for the half marathon, and 8:20 a.m. for the 5K, with the course closing at 1:30 p.m. giving runners five to six hours to finish their respective courses.
The marathon and half marathon begin in the parking lot of the iconic Dune Climb off highway M-109. The marathoners will run past landmarks like Little Glen Lake, through Glen Arbor, and alongside Sleeping Bear Dunes. The half marathon also makes heavy use of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, challenging runners with rolling terrain and occasional steep stretches. All three races will finish on the shores of Lake Michigan at Empire Beach.
