Keweenaw Ultramarathon

General Information

Hello all, welcome to the Keweenaw! We hope you will trek to Houghton and join us for a scenic run through the woods. This race is fully supported and has two distances: 25k and 50k. See this link for the photos from our 2024 race!

Location

This race is held at the Michigan Technological University Tech Trails in Houghton, MI. These trails are found off the south side of Sharon Avenue across from Sherman Field. A link to the location can be found here: Google Maps Link

Course Map

The 2025 25/50KUM course is the same as years past. The 25k participants will run 1 loop of the course and 50k participants will run 2 loops (headlamp required for the start of the 50k). The Strava route for the course is found using this link: Strava 25k Link You can also find a PNG photo overview of the course in the pictures above or on our website: KUMC Website Once on our home page, scroll to the bottom of the page to the "Documents" section. Here you will find a document titled "KUM 25k Loop". If you would like a gpx file, download from the Strava link above, or contact [email protected]

Bib Pick-up

All bibs will be picked up the morning of the race. 50k pick-up will be between 07:00 and 07:50. 25k pick-up will be between 08:00 and 08:45

Aid Stations

There will be an aid station at the main trailhead and one at Nara. Racers will encounter aid stations at miles 4.2 (6.8km), 11.8 (19km), 15.6 (25.1km), 19.8 (31.9km), and 27.4 (44.1km). Aid stations will have water, drink mix, and normal ultra foods. Feel free to bring your own hydration/snacks as well. All athletes must CHECK IN at every aid station encounter. To check-in, you must tell the aid station volunteer your bib number. You are free to get food/hydration/gear from your car or bag at the trailhead tent/community room once checked in to the trailhead aid station.

Drop Bags

Participants can put their belongings in the community room (wax building), outside under a tent, or in their cars. 50k / 25k Racers can stop back to any of these locations during the race to access their gear once they check in at the trailhead aid station.

Course Marking

The route will be marked with neon marking flags on your right-hand side. If you begin to see flags on your left, you are going the WRONG WAY. At trail intersections, the closed trails will be marked with caution tape.

Dropping

If any racer has decided they cannot finish the race and must drop for any reason they are responsible for getting this information to one of the volunteers. The volunteer will relay that information to the correct contact so that the runner can get correct medical attention and there is no confusion about the whereabouts of that runner.

Pacers

No pacers allowed.

Head Lamps

Due to the 50k race starting in the dark, you MUST have a headlamp for the first 1.5 hours. I repeat ALL 50k runners NEED a headlamp.

Road Crossing

Runners will have to cross the Pilgrim Rd multiple times. There will be someone there to assist you with the crossing, but they will NOT STOP road traffic.

Timing

Races will be timed through UltraSignup; there will be no live tracking. A clock will run from the start of the 50k at the trailhead.

Awards

Awards will be provided to the top athlete for each distance. The prizes will be given out randomly to race participants at 1 pm. If a 25k or 50k participant who is still racing wins we will save their award to be given to them after their finish. All results will be published on UltraSignup.

Time Limits

The 50k will have an 8-hour cut-off time and the 25k will have a 7-hour cut-off time (4 pm for both races). This is strictly enforced due to safety reasons and the remote nature of the race course. Do not register if you cannot finish within the respective time limits.

Parking

All athletes and volunteers can park at the main trailhead parking lot. Overflow parking will be in the field between Sharon Ave and the main trailhead parking lot. Nara parking lot is also available for volunteers and spectators.

Lodging

Use the links below for recommended local lodging options in the Houghton area: Michigan Tech Recommended Lodging Visit Keweenaw Lodging

Merchandise

We will be selling Keweenaw Ultra Marathon Club t-shirts all day during the race. The price will be $20. These shirts help pay for this event. They will be first come first serve.

Contacts

Feel free to contact Ellie Helman if you have any questions. You can reach me at my personal email [email protected] or the club email at [email protected].