Marathon Details - Waugoshance Trail Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MI > Mackinaw City > Waugoshance Trail Marathon

Waugoshance Trail Marathon

Waugoshance Trail Marathon & 50K, Half Marathon

Mackinaw City, MI USA

July 12, 2025

http://www.greatlakesendurance.com

Marathon Results

By Year:

2024 2023 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

The marathon starts near Cross Village and follows the North Country Trail past Wycamp Lake, ascending the Sturgeon Bay bluffs, then descends into wildflower meadows before reaching Goose Pond in Wilderness State Park. The course then heads eastward past Cecil Bay and Trails End Bay and along the northern shore of French Farm Lake. Runners then continue on to the finish at the Mackinaw City School.

Contact Information

Name:	Jeff Crumbaugh
Address:	28 West Street Clintonville, WI 54929
Phone Number:	715.701.0360
Email:	Email the organizers

More Information

These details were last updated by the race director on 1/20/24 and may be out of date.
Number of Runners:	200
Number of Spectators:	300
Fees & Deadlines:	see website
Start Time:	7:00 a.m.
Course Highlights:	Gorgeous single track route from Cross Village to Mackinaw City in northern Michigan. The marathon starts at Wycamp Lake and winds up and along the Sturgeon Bay bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Runners descend into wildflower blanketed lowlands before arriving at Goose Pond. This is the half way point and the start of the Half Marathon. The next six miles feature pine needle carpeted trail through rolling forest. The trail opens up as it reaches French Farm Lake, a sandy bottomed wilderness lake with towering pines along the shore. Several miles of the route follow its shoreline before runners enter a cedar forest for 2 miles. The last 3 miles feature a converted rail trail that is flat and smooth. Runners finish at the Mackinaw City School athletic grounds.
Course Refreshments:	Gnarly Fuel20, Hammer Gel, Hammer Fizz, Nature's Bakery Fig Bars, Water
Online Registration:	https://www.active.com/carp-lake-mi/running/distance-running-races/waugoshance-trail-run-2024
Packet Pickup Info:	Runners may pick up their packets on Friday, July 12, 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Mackinaw City High School. There is no race day packet pick up. In addition to receiving your race number & race shirt you can also attend the Interpretive Program on the Natural History of the Waugoshance Point, Sturgeon Bay, and Cecil Bay areas, also held at the Mackinaw City School (See details below). Representatives from Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to provide runners with information on mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking and other opportunities for outdoor recreation in the area.
Marathon Ratings:	Course Scenery/Beauty/Interest: Good for First Timers: Crowd Support: Course Speed:

Runner Reviews (3)

Course 4.7

Organization 4.7

Spectators 2.3

Write a review

Number of comments: 3

Rob Klein from Paradise, MI (7/16/2013) "Deep Woods" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Waugoshance Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This was my first trail marathon, and it was quite an experience. This organization does several events in Northern Michigan, and it was a little over an hour drive for me, so I signed up. They offer no race day check-in, and I simply could not get to Mackinaw City on Friday; it would have been $8.00 more in bridge fares too. They accomodated me, and I got my number at the start-line. Buses picked up some 100 runners at Mackinaw City High School and drove them to the start line. This race was literally in the woods 98% of the course. We started on a 2-track for the first 1/2 mile, then went on to the North Country Trail - a single track much of the way. It was pretty flat until MM 2, our first aid station. Then the hills started. By MM 4, the hills were significant. At about MM 6, there was another aid station. By then the hills seemed to flatten a bit. Additional aid stations were at or near MM 12, MM 17, & MM 21. One thing that was truly remarkable was that this was largely a single track course through the woods that crossed and connected with other trails and 2-tracks along the way, and it was remarkable well marked. They used flags and signs to mark the course and turns, and if I was marking the course, I would have got lost just trying to figure out where the signs & flags needed to be placed. They did an outstanding job. Heat and sun-exposure were not concerns because it never got too hot, and you were almost always in the woods and running in the shade. The bugs (mostly black flies for me) were an annoyance. Still, bug spray was available at the start line, so most runners got sprayed ahead of time. In the last 5 mile stretch there was one section of the trail that was muck. It was nasty, and, for me at least, I had to slow down to tip-toe around it. Other issues: There were lots of roots and small stumps, and I stumbled too many times to count. I went down twice, and twisted my left ankle twice; no injuries though. There simply were no spectators. Aid station workers were all the encouragement that we had. There were no cups for fluids. You brought your own bottle, and they served water and carb beverages from pitcher - into your bottle (having two bottles would have been a good choice, and I would recommend that). There were Hammer Gels at every aid station. There were no porta-potties! The finish line was typical: Juice, water, carb drink, bananas, fig newtons, and cereal or grain bar snacks - but they ran out of bananas! Not good. One gal working the finish line gave me one of her bananas, for which I was so grateful
J. J. from Central Illinois (4/25/2013) "Beautiful, challenging course, fun town and region" (about: 2012) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Waugoshance Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I don't have much experience with marathons, let alone trail marathons. I'm a collegiate middle-distance runner, doing summer marathons in the off-season. This was my first trail marathon, and all I can really say is it was a great experience. I have no complaints. For a small, low key, environmentally friendly race, I thought it all went very smoothly. The course was beautiful, and Mackinaw City is a fun place to be for a couple days. There are lots of little, fun activities to do the night before and after the race. As for spectators, there are only six or so points along the course that can be conveniently accessed leading up to the final mile. Not a huge deal, but viewing the race is significantly restricted. Overall, I definitely recommend this event.
R. R. from Toledo, OH (7/16/2012) "Beautiful but tough course" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Waugoshance Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This race was run point to point on the North Country Trail through Wilderness State Park at the top of Michigan's lower peninsula. Just about every type of terrain was encountered from very serious hills, technical root filled sections, swampy mud, old two track, and some beautiful sections of single track. There were some simply beautiful views of lakes and forest when you could take your eyes off the trail. The course was very well marked with mile markers included. The support was adequate with stations at about every five miles (you were required to carry a fluid container) and the only spectators were at the aid stations except for a couple of stray park rangers along the way. Prerace organization was fine and packet pickup was simple. Mackinaw City offered plenty of things to do before and after the race. My only complaint was the poor post race refreshments... Some dry, stale muffins and scones, watered down cherry juice and water, no fruit and no beer (I'll bring my own next time). Still this one was a lot of fun and a race for those who like beautiful scenery and a challenging trip.