Sunday, June 26, 2016 • Munising, MI • Course Map
With its mixture of running on both paved backcountry roads and forest trails, the Pictured Rocks Road Race Half Marathon & 5K offers runners the chance to spend 13.1 miles — or five kilometers — crossing the hills and mountain ridges of Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Seashore, within sight of its birch forests, sand dunes, cliffs and the beautiful shoreline of Lake Superior.
One of the state’s smaller road race events, the Pictured Rocks race saw 88 runners and walkers cross the finish line in both races combined in 2011, including 44 finishers in the half marathon alone. The race has had slightly different names over the years as well, from the Pictured Rocks Run for the Shelter for much of its history, to the Pictured Rocks Run for the Red Cross in recent years, and will be run as the Pictured Rocks Road Race in 2012.
Started in 1976 by local women’s sports and running pioneer Norma Harger, the race originally was an 11-mile road race through Munising and the roads near the seashore, and was described as both challenging and forgiving, and tremendous fun for both participants and volunteers. It was nearly abandoned in the 1990s, however, but has since experienced something of a rebirth, and this year will celebrate its 10th anniversary with local nonprofit Harbor House as its organizing sponsor.
Today’s half-marathon event begins in downtown Munising on East Varnum Street, and takes runners on an out-and-back course that traverses some very hilly and tough-going terrain, filled with hills and mountain trail switchbacks.
Though it doesn’t run along the Pictured Rocks National Seashore trail due to logistical reasons, the course does take runners along Munising Avenue downtown, within just a couple of blocks of the water’s edge.
Both the 5K and the half-marathon are open to both runners and walkers, who are permitted to start their race anytime before 7:30 AM (runners start at 8:00 AM). There’s also what race organizers call the Fun Walk, which allows walkers to do all or part of either race route. You’ll need to make sure you start early enough to finish by 11:00 AM.
While you’re in town, be sure to take in some of the natural beauty that Munising and the national seashore are known for — plentiful waterfalls, rock formations and sand dunes along the shore, as well as historic Grand Island, which can be reached by ferry for hiking and bike riding on the island.
Race Weather & Climate
Situated at the southern tip of South Bay along the Lake Superior shoreline on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 410 miles northwest of Detroit, Munising typically enjoys mild to moderately cool weather in the early weeks of summer, with occasional wet weather.
On race day (Jun. 26), the average low is 51ºF and the average high is 70ºF.
Past Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Pictured Rocks Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 8:00 AM
Fees
- $35
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2016 running of Pictured Rocks Half Marathon, register online at RunSignUp.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
Ever run in the Pictured Rocks Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
[fbcomments]
