Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon
Run on an island with no cars: ferry over, start on the Mackinac shoreline, then climb inland onto dirt and gravel trails before a lakeside finish.
Quick facts
- Car-free island course, reached by ferry from the mainland.
- Mix of paved shoreline road and inland dirt and gravel trails.
- Half marathon has a 3.5-hour time limit, about a 16-minute mile pace.
- Finish is in front of Mission Point Resort on the shoreline.
Is registration open for the 2026 Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon?
Registration for the 2026 Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon is open.
About the Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon
The half marathon combines shoreline roads with inland trails on Mackinac Island. The course stays open to horse carriages, bicycles and pedestrians, so runners need to stay alert and yield to horse traffic. Plan ferry travel around the race schedule.
Course
The opening miles are flat and paved along the shoreline before the route turns inland onto the island's dirt and gravel bike trails, with some paved sections mixed in. Runners come back out to the water for a finish in front of Mission Point Resort.
Race-day weather
Late October at the Straits of Mackinac is raw. The 10:45 start catches the warmest part of the day, but wind off the lake and the chance of cold rain mean most runners are better served by a layer they can shed inland.
Past Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Upcoming | — |
Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon FAQ
When is the Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon?
The 2026 Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon is on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Is registration open for the 2026 Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon?
Registration for the 2026 Mackinac Island Great Turtle Half Marathon is open. View the official registration details at runmackinac.com.
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