Get ready to conquer the Midwest’s Ultimate Multi-Terrain Race! 🚀
In 2026, help us embark on the next 25 years of the Mt. Baldhead Challenge and be part of our story!
Run through scenic woodland trails, scale sand dunes, pound the pavement, and climb 302 steps up the iconic Mt. Baldhead.
Will you rise to the Challenge?
PRE-RACE INFORMATION
Packet Pickup:
- Location: Community Church of Douglas
- Times: Noon on September 11, 2026, and Race Day at 7:00 AM.
- Option: Select mail away packet option during registration to receive your packet via USPS. Recommended!
Parking:
- Locations: Oval Beach and Community Church of Douglas
- Shuttles: Buses from the Community Church of Douglas to Oval Beach, departing beginning as soon as the first bus is filled with runners.
COURSE INFORMATION
10K+:
- Route: From Oval Beach to downtown Saugatuck through fresh water wooded sand dunes, trails, and up Mt. Baldhead steps.
- Distance: Slightly over standard 10K, around 7 miles.
Half Marathon:
- Route: Scenic, challenging 13.1 miles through trails, dunes, and streets, with Mt. Baldhead steps.
- Challenge: This is a half marathon unlike any other. Bring it!
Race Timing:
- Based on chip-times.
- Staggered start for separate waves, enter your expected finishing time during registration.
- Finish Line: Located within the boundaries of Coghlin Park.
- Cut-off Time: Participants must return to Coghlin Park by 12:30 PM.
Hydration:
- Hydration stops are distributed throughout the course; Gatorade & water provided.
- Portable restrooms are located at Oval Beach, Coghlin Park and at designated locations through the course.
SIGNUP INFORMATION
Registration:
- Priority registration for 2025 and prior participants and 2025 wait-listed runners opens October 18, 2025.
- Early registrants enjoy special pricing. Price increases go into effect on January 1, 2026
- Public registration opens November 1, 2025
- Register early to avoid the wait list.
Refund Policy:
- No refunds, but you may defer to the next year or transfer events/registration.
- Race insurance available during registration.
- New bib number issued for transfers.
Gender Options:
- Non-binary, male, and female options available when registering.
Ultimate Lifetime Challenge Participants:
- Must register for this year’s events to participate.
- Guaranteed entry.
- Registration details sent via email.
Deferred 2025 Registrants:
- Credit applied to 2026 registration.
- Must register for one of the 2026 events.
- Email with registration details will be sent.
POST-RACE INFORMATION
- Celebration at Coghlin Park: Music, awards, hydration, nutrition, and adult beverages.
- Shop for MBC SWAG.
- Recognition for fastest participants and age group winners.
- Shuttles to return you to your parked vehicles at the Community Church of Douglas and Oval Beach
WHY WE RACE
Every dollar of net proceeds supports FREE after-school and summer life-enrichment programs at Saugatuck Public Schools provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holland.
Lace-up those running shoes and get ready for an unforgettable challenge! 🏃♂️🏅
Races Offered
10K+ (7 miles)
Sep 12, 2026
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10K
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09:00
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$60.00
Half Marathon
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
13.1 Miles
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Running
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09:00
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$80.00
10K
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
10K
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4 days remaining
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$55.00
10K+ (7 miles)
Sep 12, 2026
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10K
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4 days remaining
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$60.00
12 Mile Run
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
12 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$45.00
12 Plus Mile Run
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
12.389 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$35.00
15K Run
Sep 12, 2026
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15K
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4 days remaining
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$30.00
5.5 Mile Multi-Terrain Challenge
Sep 12, 2026
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5.5 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$50.00
5K Run/Walk
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
5K
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4 days remaining
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$25.00
6 Plus Mile Run/Walk
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
6.412 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$35.00
7.5 Mile Multi-Terrain Challenge
Sep 12, 2026
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7.5 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$50.00
7.5 Mile Run
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
7.5 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$45.00
Half Marathon
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
13.1 Miles
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Type —
Running
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4 days remaining
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$75.00
Mount Baldhead Challenge Extreme Edition
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
12.52 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$65.00
Mt. Baldhead Challenge
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
8.22 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$65.00
Race Volunteer
Sep 12, 2026
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Race Volunteer
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Running
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4 days remaining
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$0.00
The Ultimate Lifetime Challenge
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
7.5 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$250.00
The Ultimate Multi-Partner Challenge
Sep 12, 2026
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12 Miles
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4 days remaining
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$100.00
Virtual Challenge 5.5 Mile Anywhere Run
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
5.5 Miles
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Type —
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4 days remaining
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$59.00
Volunteer
Sep 12, 2026
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Volunteer
terrain
Type —
Running
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4 days remaining
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$0.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Saugatuck.
thermostatTemperature
14.3° / 23.3°
wb_sunnyFeels like
12.9° / 22.5°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
10h 25m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
1.5 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
11.2 km/h (Light breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
Moderate
terrain
Course conditions
Firm and slightly soft
sunny
Max UV Index
Moderate (5.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
74.1%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
07:25
nightlight
Sunset
19:52
About Saugatuck
Learn more about the host city, Saugatuck.
Saugatuck and Douglas are small adjacent resort towns in West Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan, and at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. They are mostly a summer resort area popular with locals and Chicago residents, and have a lively arts scene and many out of the ordinary shops and restaurants. They offer a peculiar mixture of traditional small-town midwestern values and progressive alternative-lifestyle tolerance.
