Dear Runners,
First, let me say, thank you for joining us in the Stafford’s Top of Michigan Festival of Races! While other races are being held virtually, we are excited to be hosting an in person event this year, which also means we are requesting your patience as we finalize details to have the safest event possible.
Below are details on many things, but feel free to reach out with additional questions.
Courses:
I’ve plotted all of our courses online. Use the following hyperlinks to view each of the following: Half Marathon, 10k, 5k. All races will be run as out and backs, with the 5k including a lollipop type route with a loop in Mangus Park.
- The 5k will have one aid station in Magnus Park.
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The 10k will have one aid station (that runners will pass twice) at our office building (Packy Offield Trail Center - 1687 M 119, Petoskey, MI 49770 - this is also where packet pick up will be!).
- The half marathon will have two aid stations (runners will pass twice for a total of four stops), one at the Trail Center, like the 10k and another near the corner of Paige Hill Rd and Beach Rd.
Start Times:
The proposed start times for the races are as follows:
Half Marathon - 7:30 am
10k - 8:30 am
5k - 9 am
In order to comply with holding safe outdoor events, we may complete our starts in waves to ensure we do not have too many people gathered in one space at one time.
Packet Pick Up:
Top of Michigan Trails Council’s Packy Offield Trail Center
1687 M 119
Petoskey, MI 49770
Parking at the office is a little tight, but Spring Lake Park is across the street with plenty of parking. Pick up will include your bib and the chance to pick up a previous years’ race shirt - if we have your size available!
We’d love for you to stay and chat - but know there is plenty to do around us. Terrific food and drink is available across the street at Petoskey Brewing or maybe you need to pick up some groceries at our sponsor grocer, Oleson’s Food Stores. You could also grab dinner at the Noggin Room at Stafford’s Perry Hotel. The park across the street is the southern terminus of the North Western State Trail - another great trail in our network. Or, if you are looking for other ideas, check out petoskeyarea.com - not only are they a great resource for all things in the Petoskey area, they sponsor the event!
Race Day Parking:
The courses start at the eastern end of Bayfront Drive at Bayfront Park. As you head there, you’ll notice parking along the way - feel free to park anywhere there, as long as you do NOT park in the marina parking lot – those spaces are reserved for permit holders.
During the Race:
While you are running, you are not required to wear your mask, but we ask that you do at the start/finish line where 6’ of space cannot be easily maintained if you are not vaccinated. Additionally, in accordance with Health Department guidelines, only water will be provided at aid stations. If you require GU or other sustenance while running, you will need to bring your own.
Pre/Post Race
We are working with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to ensure a safe race for all. The short version of what we are requiring is this:
- Face Masks are required at the start/finish line for participants, spectators and volunteers who are not vaccinated.
- Participants who are not vaccinated may compete without their face mask as long as they can maintain 6’ of space from other participants, as well as when consuming water on the course.
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There will be no food tent this year, nor a designated food area. But don’t fret! We have goodies for you post race, they’ll just be pre packaged and ready for you to take with you. Hopefully, Grain Train will be able to be back with their delicious cookies and other good stuff next year. We appreciate their past support!
We know this looks different from past years, but we want everyone to be as safe as possible so that we can continue to host this great race for years to come. Thank you for complying with these regulations and making the most of this fun, in person event.
Becca Nelson
Race Director
