Lake Superior Shore Run Half Marathon, 5K & 5-Mile

Saturday, September 28, 2024 • Marquette, MI • Course Map

Expanded a few years ago from a race that was once a 10-mile run through the challenging hills and trails of Michigan’s Escanaba State Forest, the Lake Superior Shore Trail Half Marathon is now (as its name suggests) a full-fledged 13.1-mile trail running event.

The running event takes participants through this breathtakingly scenic forest at the start of the crisp early fall season, when it changes its spring and summer green for innumerable shades of red, orange and gold as far as the eye can see.

The starting line for the race is at Little Presque Isle, which lies about seven miles northwest of downtown Marquette, just off Harlow Lake Road East.

From there, the adventure through the forest begins, as the all-trail course takes runners to well-known scenic overlooks in the forest like the areas called “Top of the World” and “Razorback Ridge,” all while running in the shadow of the nearby Huron Mountain Range over one shoulder and the deep blue waters of the great lake over the other.

Runners looking to participate in the race need to be ready for a rugged, challenging course with several changes in elevation, and sometimes steep uphills and downhills.

Along the way, there are plentiful streams and lakes, and the course is made up of hard-packed single-track trails and dirt roadways through the forest. Once runners reach the turn at a place called Wetmore’s Landing along the shore, they start making their way back to Little Presque Isle for the race finish line.

In addition to the half-marathon, there’s a 5K for runners and 5-mile walk for hikers.

Race Weather & Climate

Nestled along the shore of Lake Superior in northern Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the city of Marquette typically sees mild to fairly cool conditions in the early fall, and the area’s wettest weather of the year occurs during this time of year.

On race day (Sept. 28), the average low is 44ºF and the average high is 63ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Xterra Lake Superior Shore Run Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

8:00 AM

Fees

$55 for the half marathon
$35 for the 5K
$35 for the 5-mile hike

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Marquette’s Lake Superior Shore Run Half Marathon, 5K, or 5-mile hike, register online at RunSignUp.com here.

Official Race Website

www.lakesuperiorshorerun.com

Comments

Ever run in the Lake Superior Shore Run? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.