August 1, 2026
55K & 55K Relay
Packet Pickup: 6:00 a.m - 6:45 a.m. at Silver Lake
Pre-race announcements: 6:55 a.m.
Start: 7:00 a.m.
30K
Packet Pickup: 7:30 a.m - 8:15 a.m. at the Waterloo Recreation Area Discovery Center
Pre-race announcements: 8:25 a.m.
Start: 8:30 a.m.
There is no early start for any of the distances.
Shuttle and Finish: Parking will be in a large field adjacent to Sandhill Crane Vineyard. Signs will be posted to help direct you.
Shuttle Bus Schedule:
55K - Parking opens at 4:00am at Sandhill Crane Vineyards. Shuttle Bus loading starts at 5:00am. Shuttle busses depart at 5:30am.
30K - Parking opens at 4:00am at Sandhill Crane Vineyards. Shuttle Bus loading starts at 7:00am. Shuttle busses depart at 7:20am.
Starting Lines: Parking is available at Silver Lake in Pinckney Rec Area (55K and Relay) and at the Waterloo Recreation Area Discovery Center (30K). Any vehicles entering will need a MI DNR Rec Passport.
Take a point-to-point trip though beautiful Michigan wilderness while you travel along the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, 55K or 30K of pure bliss. You will not get bored as you venture west passing by swamps, meadows, lakes and forests.
Please note there are sections you will pass through that are multi-use trail and horses or mountain bikes may be encountered. Horses should be approached in a slow/calm manner for safety.
View the Course Maps including aid staton locations, crew access locations, and cutoff times.
You will have 10 hours to complete the 55K race and 8.5 hours to complete the 30K race. All runners must meet the intermediate cutoffs listed below.
Aid Station 4: you must leave Aid Station 4 by 1:40PM
Aid Station 5: you must leave Aid Station 5 by 2:51PM
Please note that pacers will not be allowed at this event.
There will be 6 aid stations located along the course at miles 4.9, 7.5, 14.5, 22.2, 26.1, and 29.3. The middle 4 aid stations will consist of gels, salty snacks, sweet snacks, and fluids. The first aid station will have fluids only. The final aid station will be a self-serve water station.
55K runners will have an option to have a drop bag at Aid 3 - Discovery Center (Mile 14.5).
Please note this is a cupless race and be prepared to have your own drinking vessel.
Check out Experience Jackson's website HERE for other local room options.
"Your place to stay in Jackson is more than just a bed. It's your home away from home while you're here. We have wide selection for every price range, location and need." - Experience Jackson
Post-race: Join us at Sandhill Crane Vineyards for a backyard beer and finish party to all racers and volunteers. Beer from Sandhill Crane for 21-and-older racers and volunteers. Additional drinks available for purchase from Sandhill.
Awards: Every finisher earns a custom finisher medal at the finish line.
Individual Races: Overall awards to top 3 men and women, and age group awards that go three-deep in five year age group.
Relay: There are no awards for relay teams since teams can consist of any number of teammates. Relay runners receive medals and post-race party!
You can view our suggested relay legs and exchange points below. Your team is free to choose your own exchange points and is responsible for all race day logistics.
Start - Silver Lake
Pickerel Lake Access
Blind Lake Trail Head
Park Lyndon
Green Lake
Discovery Center
Beeman Rd
Baldwin Rd
Glenn Rd East of Mt. Hope
Mt. Hope
Glenn Rd West of Mt. Hope
List Rd
2.08
4.94
8.50
10.65
14.50
18.35
22.21
24.11
26.11
27.71
29.34
33.27
2.08
2.86
3.56
2.15
3.85
3.85
3.78
1.98
2.00
1.60
1.63
3.93
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