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Marathon Details - Sleeping Bear Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MI > Empire > Sleeping Bear Marathon

Sleeping Bear Marathon

Sleeping Bear Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K

Empire, MI USA

October 5, 2024

http://www.sleepingbearmarathon.com

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Race Details

The out-and-back marathon course will take runners by the "Dune Climb", past Little Glen Lake, and through the village of Glen Arbor with breathtaking views of the Manitou Islands and Sleeping Bear Dunes along the way. The half marathon will follow the same course as the marathon, turning around at the 6.5 mile mark. At the peak of fall color season, the tree-lined course will be one that both runners and spectators won't soon forget.

Contact Information

Name:	Joel Gaff, Jr.
Address:	120 E. Front St, 2nd Floor Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone Number:	231.715.1406
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (4)

Course 4.5

Organization 4.5

Spectators 4.0

Write a review

Number of comments: 4

Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan (10/8/2015) "Chilly and Hilly" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a well-executed marathon event. Check in was at the park where the start/finish line was located. They had a tent set up for the event, which served for check-in, and both pre and post-race functions too. The race director was available to the runners both before and after the marathon. The temperature was a bit on the cool side, and it was overcast the whole day. I had a cotton sweat-shirt on for warm-up, and ended up just leaving it on, because it was too cold otherwise. The course started at a park on Lake Michigan, downtown in Empire. The first mile and a half was on the road, then we transitioned to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail an asphalt bike and foot path. We stayed on the trail until reaching the entrance to the parking lot at Sleeping Bear Dune, and then transitioned back to the road (about mile post 6.5). Just past MP 8 we were entering the town of Glen Haven, and there transitioned back to the trail. The next two miles of the path - both sides - was littered with large, shallow rooted trees that all blew over in an August storm. The destruction to the landscape was phenomenal. After that, the course was a combination of trails, gravel road, and paved road all littered with fallen trees! At the turn-around point, a guy recorded our passage, and took pictures of the runners too. There were course marshals all along the way, so we never missed a turn. Well done! There were water/aid stations along the course too - all staffed with friendly volunteers, and fluids and GU gel. Law enforcement was present where the runners had to cross an active road. They all did a great job, and kept the runners safe. This was an out and back course, but the return was slightly different, because at Glen Haven we crossed the road, but stayed on the Heritage Trail all the way back to town. About MP 25 we returned to the road for the last 1+ miles, ending at the park. Much of this course was flat. However, there were hills up to 11% grade! They were not long stretches, but it was still tough to run up those hills. Another thing is that the runners were directed to stay on the left side facing traffic when running on the road, but when running on the trails, to stay on the right side sharing the path with other foot and bike traffic. This was wise counsel, and promoted the safety of the runners. He post-race food was typical: Bananas, oranges, bagels, pretzels, water and Gatorade. Well done!
M. F. from Mid Michigan (7/16/2014) "Beautiful course" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, the location and time of the year were a big draw. The amount of runners is small but the organization makes you feel welcome. There are many areas where your friends and family can see you run. The views are stunning along the out and back course. Where there were spectators, they were fabulous, but they were sparse, as we ran in the rain in 2013 for the first hour or so. The race does not run on the dunes, but there are some elevation changes that can kick butt. Consider adding this race to your list.
P. I. from Mi (10/11/2013) "Well organized, scenic, small marathon." (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Loved this marathon! Very scenic. Perfect time of year with Autumn in full bloom. Ran the half last year and wanted more!
R. K. from East Lansing, MI (10/8/2013) "Well-Organized Showcase of Northern Michigan" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran this as my first marathon, and overall it was a great experience. The course takes you from Empire to Glen Arbor via rural highways and country roads. It showcases the forests and dunes of the area. I was disappointed in the very minimal lake views, though there were some. My only complaints would be the cambered roads, which get very painful towards the end. There were some major (to me) hills in the beginning and end of the out-and-back. The organization was great. The medals were the same for the full and half, but with different lanyards. However, they ran out of half lanyards and gave some of the halfers the full lanyards. (Not sure how this happened since far more people registered for the half.) I narrowly averted disaster in the final miles when the volunteers manning the mile 24 turn-off had abandoned their posts. If I hadn't been looking for the mile marker already, I would've missed the turn completely. Very minimal spectators, but the course remained open, so racers with spectators were able to meet them along the course almost as much as they wanted. Local residents were supportive, and everyone followed police/volunteer instructions at intersections. This race was a little early in the year for the leaves to have changed colors, but it was still very scenic. A nice, small, no-stress race with plenty of views.



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Rob Klein from Paradise, Michigan (10/8/2015) "Chilly and Hilly" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was a well-executed marathon event. Check in was at the park where the start/finish line was located. They had a tent set up for the event, which served for check-in, and both pre and post-race functions too. The race director was available to the runners both before and after the marathon. The temperature was a bit on the cool side, and it was overcast the whole day. I had a cotton sweat-shirt on for warm-up, and ended up just leaving it on, because it was too cold otherwise. The course started at a park on Lake Michigan, downtown in Empire. The first mile and a half was on the road, then we transitioned to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail an asphalt bike and foot path. We stayed on the trail until reaching the entrance to the parking lot at Sleeping Bear Dune, and then transitioned back to the road (about mile post 6.5). Just past MP 8 we were entering the town of Glen Haven, and there transitioned back to the trail. The next two miles of the path - both sides - was littered with large, shallow rooted trees that all blew over in an August storm. The destruction to the landscape was phenomenal. After that, the course was a combination of trails, gravel road, and paved road all littered with fallen trees! At the turn-around point, a guy recorded our passage, and took pictures of the runners too. There were course marshals all along the way, so we never missed a turn. Well done! There were water/aid stations along the course too - all staffed with friendly volunteers, and fluids and GU gel. Law enforcement was present where the runners had to cross an active road. They all did a great job, and kept the runners safe. This was an out and back course, but the return was slightly different, because at Glen Haven we crossed the road, but stayed on the Heritage Trail all the way back to town. About MP 25 we returned to the road for the last 1+ miles, ending at the park. Much of this course was flat. However, there were hills up to 11% grade! They were not long stretches, but it was still tough to run up those hills. Another thing is that the runners were directed to stay on the left side facing traffic when running on the road, but when running on the trails, to stay on the right side sharing the path with other foot and bike traffic. This was wise counsel, and promoted the safety of the runners. He post-race food was typical: Bananas, oranges, bagels, pretzels, water and Gatorade. Well done!
M. F. from Mid Michigan (7/16/2014) "Beautiful course" (about: 2013) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, the location and time of the year were a big draw. The amount of runners is small but the organization makes you feel welcome. There are many areas where your friends and family can see you run. The views are stunning along the out and back course. Where there were spectators, they were fabulous, but they were sparse, as we ran in the rain in 2013 for the first hour or so. The race does not run on the dunes, but there are some elevation changes that can kick butt. Consider adding this race to your list.
P. I. from Mi (10/11/2013) "Well organized, scenic, small marathon." (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Loved this marathon! Very scenic. Perfect time of year with Autumn in full bloom. Ran the half last year and wanted more!
R. K. from East Lansing, MI (10/8/2013) "Well-Organized Showcase of Northern Michigan" (about: 2013) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Sleeping Bear Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran this as my first marathon, and overall it was a great experience. The course takes you from Empire to Glen Arbor via rural highways and country roads. It showcases the forests and dunes of the area. I was disappointed in the very minimal lake views, though there were some. My only complaints would be the cambered roads, which get very painful towards the end. There were some major (to me) hills in the beginning and end of the out-and-back. The organization was great. The medals were the same for the full and half, but with different lanyards. However, they ran out of half lanyards and gave some of the halfers the full lanyards. (Not sure how this happened since far more people registered for the half.) I narrowly averted disaster in the final miles when the volunteers manning the mile 24 turn-off had abandoned their posts. If I hadn't been looking for the mile marker already, I would've missed the turn completely. Very minimal spectators, but the course remained open, so racers with spectators were able to meet them along the course almost as much as they wanted. Local residents were supportive, and everyone followed police/volunteer instructions at intersections. This race was a little early in the year for the leaves to have changed colors, but it was still very scenic. A nice, small, no-stress race with plenty of views.

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Marathon Details - Sleeping Bear Marathon